24 hours of Mans 1955

The 23e edition of the 24 Hours of Mans was held the 11 and June 12th 1955 on the Circuit of the Sarthe.
This race belongs to the 4th handle of the Championnat of the world of the sport scars 1955 (WSC - World Sportscar Championship).

Pilots qualified by nationalities

Accident catastrophe

In the third hour of race, Pierre Levegh concedes a turn with the leader Mike Hawthorn (Jaguar), then engaged in an intense battle with Juan Manuel Fangio (Mercedes). With starts straight line of the stands, the trio joined the Austin Healey of Lance Macklin, appreciably slower. Hawthorn is the first to double Macklin, but it is folded back immediately to penetrate in the way of the stands. Surprised by the operation, Macklin makes a variation, which in its turn surpend Levegh. The French pilot has time to raise the arm to warn Fangio, behind him, but does not manage to avoid Macklin. Its Mercedes takes off on Austin before being crushed and rebounding on several occasions on the slope separating the track from the platforms. Levegh is killed on the blow while elements of Mercedes (in particular the engine, the nose gear, and the cap) are projected in the public, killing more than 80 spectators. This event to date remains the greatest drama of the history of the automobile sport. (vidéo of the accident)

Final classification of the race

Here the official classification at the end of the 24 hours of race.

the winners of each category are announced by a yellowed bottom.

Legend:

ABD.=Abandon

Record of the turn

the fastest Turn : Mike Hawthorn on #6 standard Jaguar D - Jaguar Ltd Bus. in 4min 06s 6 .

Price of the Performance

#37 Porsche 550/4 RS 1500 Spyder - Porsche KG

Another trophy

21e Cut Biennial: #37 Porsche 550/4 RS 1500 Spyder - Porsche KG

To note

Distance covered: 4 135,380 km
Mean velocity: 172,308 km/h
Variation with 2nd: 62,360 km

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