24h Le Mans
On June 21, 1992, Peugeot won the first of its three victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Prior to winning that year, and again in 1993 and 2009, the French marque achieved truly impressive performances as early as the 1930s. Here is a look back from before and after that pivotal year 1992.
- In 1993, Peugeot entered three Peugeot 905s at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. They claimed all three spots on the podium, with in order: winners Geoff Brabham-Eric Helary-Christophe Bouchut (#3), Teo Fabi-Yannick Dalmas-Thierry Boutsen (#1) and Mauro Baldi-Philippe Alliot-Jean Pierre Jabouille (#2).
- As the victory at Le Mans capped off the remarkable career in Endurance racing (namely in the U.S.) of Australian Geoff Brabham, the two French drivers - Eric Helary and Christophe Bouchut - won for their very first participations.
- This triumphant hat trick signaled the climax and also the end of the Peugeot 905's adventure at the 24 Hours of Le Mans after three participations and two consecutive victories. Thereafter, Jean Todt left his position at the helm of Peugeot's sporting division to lead up Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1, a new step in the journey to becoming the president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile in 2009, which he still holds today.
- Fourteen years later, the French manufacturer made its return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP.
- In a twist of fate, its return came precisely 80 years after Peugeot's memorable feat at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. At the initiative of Emile Darl'mat (1892-1970), a Peugeot dealer who customized several models, three 302s landed in the top 10, finishing in seventh, eighth and 10th places. The following year, only one of the three 402 Darl'mats made it to the checkered flag, with fifth place for Marcel Contet and Charles de Cortanze. The latter none other than the father of André, designer of the Peugeot 905.
- In 2009, Alex Wurz, Marc Gené and David Brabham won Peugeot's third victory at the 24 Hours. It was his second win after reaching the top step on the podium in 1996. Marc Gené was the first Spaniard to win at Le Mans and David Brabham matched his older brother Geoff, winner in 1993.
- From 2007 to 2011, Peugeot won once (2009), clinched four consecutive pole positions (from 2007 to 2010) and claimed six other podium finishes.
- Pole sitter three times in a row at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 2007 to 2009, Stéphane Sarrazin reached the level of Jacky Ickx, the first to accomplish the feat (1981-1982-1983).
- In addition to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Peugeot 908 made its mark on two great American Endurance races: the 12 Hours of Sebring (2010 and 2011) and Petit Le Mans (2009-2010-2011).
Click below for the first installent in this series about Peugeot at the 1992 24 Hours of Le Mans:
Peugeot and the 1992 24 Hours of Le Mans (1) - First win and other stories
PHOTO (Copyright - Christian Vignon/ACO): In three participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Peugeot 905 (pictured here, driven by Baldi-Alliot-Jabouille, third in 1992) scored two pole positions and as many back-to-back wins in 1992 and 1993.
