24h Le Mans
According to a now well-established tradition, at the Rétromobile international exhibition (February 8-12) were announced the dates of the next edition of the Le Mans Classic. July 6-8, 2018, the cars that have made their marks, big and small, on the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will race once again at the Le Mans circuit.
In view of the ninth edition, here is a look back at the winners of the 1928, 1938, 1958, 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998 and 2008 editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
1928 - Bentley's third (and second in a row) win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Brit Woolf Barnato won the first of his three consecutive victories.
1938 - French constructor Delage clinched its only win at the 24 Hours, with at the wheel Jean Trémoulet and Eugène Chaboud.
1958 - First victory for the duo Olivier Gendebien-Phil Hill. In 1962, Gendebien established a record of four wins that would not be beaten until 1981 by Jacky Ickx, and Hill became the first American to win at Le Mans.
1968 - In the wake of the social and political unrest that shook France in the spring, the 36th edition of the 24 Hours was moved to September 28th and 29th. The race was won by Lucien Bianchi and Pedro Rodriguez in a Ford GT40.
1978 - Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jaussaud triumphed with Renault-Alpine.
1988 - Thirty-one years after its last win, Jaguar broke the curse and won again at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with the trio Jan Lammers-Johnny Dumfries-Andy Wallace.
1998 - Porsche's 17th victory, that year with its legendary 911 driven by Laurent Aiello, Stéphane Ortelli and Allan McNish.
2008 - Audi emerged the winner after a stunning duel with Peugeot, thanks to fantastic progress during the night made by Dindo Capello-Tom Kristensen-Allan McNish.
Photo: In 2016, the appearance of prototypes compliant with technical regulations for Group C cars, which dominated the 24 Hours during the 1980s and early 1990s, was one of the top attractions of the eighth edition of the Le Mans Classic.
