Date: 25-26 June 1949

Number of competitors: 49

Number classified as finishers: 19

Winners: Luigi Chinetti and Lord Selsdon (#22 Ferrari 166 MM)

Distance covered by the winners and average speed: 3,178 km (235 laps) at an average 132 kph

Highlights:

• Luigi Chinetti was the man of the hour at the 1949 edition of Le Mans. After winning in 1932 and 1934 with Alfa Romeo, he became the only driver to win the race before and after World War II. At 47 years old, he is also the oldest winner in the history of the 24 Hours, and even spent more than 22 hours at the wheel in 1949!

• Before being forced to retire, the fastest in-race lap was clocked by French driver André Simon (05:12.50) with a Delahaye fielded by Charles Pozzi, future Ferrari importer in France.

• In 1949, the Renault 4 CV became the first rear-engine car to take the start in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

• The first Czech manufacturer to participate in the race, Aero Minor's two cars made it to the chequered flag, in 15th and 19th places.

Motorsport in 1949:

- Two future 24 Hours winners came into the world that year. German driver Klaus Ludwig (born 5 May) won the race in 1979, 1984 and 1985. In 1995, Masanori Sekiya (born 27 November) became the first Japanese driver to win Le Mans (with a McLaren F1 GTR shared with Frenchman Yannick Dalmas and Finnish driver JJ Lehto).

- This was also the first year a driver from Argentina clinched victories in Europe. The son of a mason of Italian heritage, he went on to become one of the most world-renowned figures in the history of motorsport. His name? Juan Manuel Fangio.

What else happened in 1949?

- Actor Laurence Olivier's movie adaptation of William Shakespeare's play Hamlet became the first British feature film to win the Oscar for Best Film.

- The first 2 CV is released by Citroën.

 

PHOTO (Copyright - ACO/Archives): LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), 1949 24 HOURS OF LE MANS. The 166 MM, the first Ferrari to win Le Mans, donated by Luigi Chinetti (in a striped tie) is a jewel of the 24 Hours Museum's collection.