24émes Grand Prix d`Endurance les 24 Heures du Mans 1956

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LeMans Grand Prix d`Endurance les 24 Heures du Mans 1956


Le Mans 1938
Le Mans
Le Mans 1962

Circuit Permanenthe de la Sarthe
Date: June 28th and 29th, 1956


Conditions: Mild, Rainshowers
Starters: 49 (52 allowed to start)
Track Length: 13,461 metres
Distance: 4034.929 km
Fastest Lap: Mike Hawthorn, Jaguar, 4:20.0 =186.383 km/h
Average Speed: 168.122 km/h

Few would have disagreed with the French claim that Le Mans was La plus grande course du monde. Although by 1956 the first Le Mans had been held 33 years ago, no other motoring event had consistently aroused such widespread interest in each succeeding year. The armoosphere at the circuit was unique and thrilling; to see the cars race, unrelaxing, for 2,500 miles, first by day, next through the evening half-light, then with their head lamp beams piercing the darkness over the black ribbon of road, was an experience never to be forgotten.

The stir of the crowd as the first routine pit stops began after 30 laps or so, the crackle and roar of the passsing cars - noises which become immpressed on the brain until each exhaust note becomes as recognizab1e as the shape of the car itself - the brilliant lights of the stands, restaurants and fairground, the tinkling broadcast music with its frequent interruptions for the bellowing announcers - all these impressions go to make Le Mans. No longer were the cars "as cataalogued by the manufacturers" and sold to the public. Many of them were specialized racing-sports models, too highly strung for public use.

Once it was necessary for a manufacturer to submit ten examples of the cars he intended to enter, the scrutineers selecting the car or cars that were to race. That was not the case in 1956, although thankfully the character of Le Mans remained substantially the same, and it was still one of the world's best proving grounds. Because of this, a win at Le Mans carried enormous weight and prestige value for the manufacturers, not only of the car itself, but of all the components and accessories upon which it depended.

CLASS WINNERS
Index of Performance Gerard Laureau / Paul Armagnac D.B. - Panhard
22nd Biennial Cup Gerard Laureau / Paul Armagnac D.B. - Panhard
3001 - 5000cc Ron Flockhart / Ninian Sanderson Jaguar D-type
2001 - 3000cc Stirling Moss / Peter Collins Aston Martin DB 3 S
1101 - 1500cc Graf Wolfgang von Trips / Richard von Frankenberg Porsche 550 RS
751 - 1100cc Reg Bicknell / Peter Jopp Lotus XI - Climax
501 - 750cc Gerard Laureau / Paul Armagnac D.B. Panhard
Please Note: You can sort this listing by simply clicking on the column heading
Team / Entrant
Car - Engine
Driver, Nationality
1
1
4
Ecurie Ecosse, GB
Jaguar D-type
Ron Flockhart, GB
Ninian Sanderson, GB
3442
L6
S 5.0
300
4034,929
-
2
2
8
Aston Martin Ltd, GB
Aston Martin DB3 S
Stirling Moss, GB
Peter Collins, GB
2922
L6
S 3.0
299
4018,633
-
3
3
12
Scuderia Ferrari, I
Ferrari 625 LM Touring
Olivier Gendebien, B
Maurice Trintignant, F
DNS André Simon, F
DNS Luigi Musso, I
2498
L4
S 3.0
293
3937,611
-
4
4
5
Equipe Nationale Belge, B
Jaguar D-type
Jacques Swaters, B
Freddy Rousselle, F
DNS Roger Laurent, B
3442
L6
S 5.0
284
3816,671
-
5
5
25
(Dr Ing hcF) Porsche KG, D
Porsche 550A/4 RS Coupe
Richard von Frankenberg, D
Graf Wolfgang Berghe von Trips, D
DNS Umberto Maglioli, I
1498
F4
S 1.5
282
3792,248
-
6
6
1
Jaguar Cars Ltd, GB
Jaguar D-type (fuel injection)
Mike Hawthorn, GB
Ivor Bueb, GB
DNS Desmond Titterington, GB
3442
L6
S 5.0
280
3759,887
-
7
7
36
Lotus Engineering, GB
Lotus Eleven - Coventry Climax
Reg Bicknell, GB
Peter Jopp, GB
DNS Cliff Allison, GB
DNS Graham Hill, GB
1098
L4
S 1.1
253
3397,665
-
8
8
33
Cooper Car Co, GB
Cooper T39 - Climax
Ed Hugus, USA
John Bentley, USA
1098
L4
S 1.1
252
3383,779
-
9
9
30
Claude Bourillot, F
Maserati 150 S
Claude Bourillot, F
Henri Perroud, F
DNS Francois Chambelland, F
1497
L4
S 1.5
245
3293,812
-
10
10
40
Automobiles Deutsch et Bonnet, F
DB HBR5 - Panhard
Gérard Laureau, F
Paul Armagnac, F
747
F2
S 750
231
3103,347
-
11
11
45
Automobiles Deutsch et Bonnet, F
DB HBR - Panhard
Jean-Claude Vidilles, F
Jean Thépenier, F
747
F2
S 750
225
3020,898
-
12
12
46
Automobiles Deutsch et Bonnet, F
DB HBR - Panhard
André Héchard, F
Roger Masson, F
747
F2
S 750
220
2955,751
-
13
13
34
(Dr Ing hcF) Porsche KG, D
(Roland Bourel ?)
Porsche 356 A/4
Roland Bourel, F
Maurice Slotine, F
1290
F4
S 1.5
212
3851,646
-
14
14
41
Just-Emile Vernet, F
VP 166R - Renault
Jean-Marie Dumazer, F
Lucien Campion, F
845
L4
S 1.1
210
2820,830
-
15
NC
14
Aston Martin Ltd
Aston Martin DBR1/250
Tony Brooks, GB
Reg Parnell, GB
DNS Peter Walker, GB
2493
L6
S 3.0
246
24h
Transmission
16
DNF
17
Automobiles Talbot, F
Talbot - Maserati
Louis Rosier, F
Jean Behra, F
DNS Jean Lucas, F
DNS Geoffredo Zehender, I
2461
L6
S 3.0
220
21h
Gearbox/Trans-
mission
17
DQ/
DNF
6
Robert Walshaw, GB
Jaguar XK 140
Robert Walshaw, GB
Peter Bolton, GB
DNS Ronnie J. Adams, GB
3451
L6
S 5.0
209
21h
Disqualifed:
illegal refuel
18
DNF
9
Aston Martin Ltd, GB
Aston Martin DB3S
Peter Walker, GB
Roy Salvadori, GB
DNS Reg Parnell, GB
2922
L6
S 3.0
173
16h
Accident
19
DNF
32
Lotus Engineering, GB
Lotus Eleven - Coventry Climax
Colin Chapman, GB
Herbert MacKay-Fraser, USA
DNS Graham Hill, GB
1459
L4
S 1.5
172
21h
Connecting rod
20
DQ/
DNF
22
Jean Lucas, F
Ferrari 500 TR
Francois Picard, F
Howard Hively, USA (DND)
Robert 'Bob' E. Tappan, USA
1985
L4
S 2.0
137
14h
Disqualified:
illegal refuel
21
DNF
24
(Dr Ing hcF) Porsche KG
Porsche 550 RS A/4
Umberto Maglioli, I
Hans Herrmann, D
DNS Rickard von Frankenberg, D
1498
F4
S 1.5
136
16h
Engine
(Piston)
22
DNF
37
René Breuil, F
RB - Fiat OSCA (Renault ?)
Jean Py, F
Yves Dommée, F
DNS René Breuil, F
1093
L4
S 1.1
116
15h
Gearbox
23
DNF
10
Scuderia Ferrari
Ferrari 625 LM Touring
André Simon, F
Phil Hill, USA
DNS Eugenio Castellotti, I
DNS Harry Schell, F/USA
DNS Maurice Trintignant, F
DNS Juan Manuel Fangio, RA
2498
L4
S 3.0
107
10h
Transmission
24
DNF
23
Automobiles Frazer Nash Ltd, GB
Frazer-Nash Sebring - Bristol
Richard "Dickie" Stoop, GB
Tony Gaze, AUS
1977
L6
S 2.0
100
10 h
Accident
25
DNF
16
Automobiles Gordini, F
Gordini T23 S (T15 S ?)
Hermano 'Nano' da Silva Ramos, F/BR
André de Guelfi, F
DNS André Pilette, B
2474
L6
S 3.0
90
12h
Clutch
26
DNF
35
Lotus Engineering, GB
Lotus Eleven - Coventry Climax
Cliff Allison, GB
Keith Hall, GB
DNS Reg Bicknell, GB
DNS Graham Hill, GB
1098
L4
S 1.1
89
10h
Accident, collision with a dog
27
DNF
19
Jean-Paul Colas, F
Salmson 2300 S
Serge Nersessian, F
Georges Monneret, F
2328
L4
S 3.0
80
10h
Engine
28
DNF
15
Automobiles Gordini, F
Gordini T15 S
Robert Manzon, F
Jean Guichet, F
DNS Hermano da Silva Ramos, F/BR
2474
L8
S 3.0
80
8h
Oil pressure
29
DNF
20
Equipe Nationale Belge, B
Ferrari 500 TR
Alain den Changy, B
Lucien Bianchi, B/I
1985
L4
S 2.0
76
8h
Steering
30
DNF
29
Automobiles Gordini, F
Gordini T17 S
André Milhoux, B
"Charles Rinen" (Henri de Clarence), F
DNS Jean Guichet, F
1495
L6
S 1.5
67
8h
Transmission
Fuel system
31
DNF
48
Moretti Automobili, I
Moretti 750 Gran Sport Zagato
Marcel Lauga, F
Jean-Michel Durif, F
746
L4
S 750
62
10h
Ignition
Engine
32
DNF
26
(Dr Ing hcF) Porsche KG, D
Porsche 356 Carrera 1500
Max Nathan, D
Helm Glöckler, D
1498
F4
S 1.5
61
9h
Collision / Fire
33
DNF
21
Pierre Meyrat, F
Ferrari 500 TR
Pierre Meyrat, F
Fernand Tavano, F
1985
L4
S 2.0
61
8h
Collision
34
DNF
7
Prince Metternich, D
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Prince Paul Metternich, D
Wittigo von Einsiedel, D
2996
L8
S 3.0
58
8h
Engine
Ignition
35
DNF
49
Automobiles Panhard, F
Panhard Monopole X89
Jean Hémard, F
Pierre Flahaut, F
745
F2
S 750
50
7h
Engine
36
DNF
27
Wolfgang Seidel, D
(Dr Ing hcF) Porsche KG, D ?
Porsche 550/4 RS
Mathieu Hezemans, NL
Baron Carel Godin de Beaufort, NL
DNS Wolfgang Seidel, D
DNS Helm Glöckler, D
1498
F4
S 1.5
48
7h
Suspension
37
DNF
50
Automobiles Panhard, F
Panhard Monopole X88
Pierre Chancel, F
André Beaulieux, F
745
F2
S 750
46
6h
Accident
38
DNF
28
Gustave Olivier, F
Porsche 550/4 Spyder
Claude Storez, F
Helmut Polensky, D
DNS Gustave Olivier, F
DNS Auguste Veuillet, F
1498
F4
S 1.5
45
8h
Distribution
39
DNF
52
Automobili Stanguellini, I
Stanguellini 750 Sport
René Philippe Faure, F
Gilbert Foury, F (DND)
741
L4
S 750
36
6h
Accident
40
DNF
31
Louis Cornet, F
Maserati 150 S
Louis Cornet, F
Robert Mougin, F
DNS Georges Thepenier, F
1487
L4
S 1.5
35
4h
Engine
41
DNF
18
Automobiles Talbot, F
Talbot Lago Sport 2500 - Maserati
Geoffredo 'Freddie' Zehender, I
Jean Lucas, F
DNS Louis Rosier, F
DNS Jean Behra, F
DNS Yves Giraud-Cabantous, F
2461
L6
S 3.0
32
7h
Accident
41
DNF
53
Automobili Stanguellini, I
Stanguellini 750 Sport
Pierre Duval, F
Georges Guyot, F (DND)
741
L4
S 750
23
4h
Engine
43
DNF
47
Moretti Automobili, I
Moretti 750 Gran Sport
Marceau Escules, F
Francois Guillaud, F (DND)
DNS Toni Branca, CH (Aquilino Branca ?)
747
L4
S 750
22
7h
Ignition
44
DNF
51
Louis Héry, F
Panhard Monopole X86
Louis Héry, F*
Lucien Pailler, F (DND)
745
F2
S 750
5
2h
*Fatal accident
45
DNF
42
Automobili OSCA, I
OSCA Sport 750
Jean Laroche, F
Rémy Radix, F (DND)
749
L4
S 750
4
2h
Accident
46
DNF
3
Jaguar Cars Ltd, GB
Jaguar D-type
Jack Fairman, GB
Ken Wharton, GB (DND)
DNS Paul Frére, B
3442
L6
S 5.0
3
1h
Accident
47
DNF
2
Jaguar Cars Ltd, GB
Jaguar D-type
Paul Frére, B
Desmond Titterington, GB (DND)
DNS Duncan Hamilton, GB
DNS Ivor Bueb, GB
3442
L6
S 5.0
2
1h
Accident
48
DNF
11
Scuderia Ferrari, I
Ferrari 625 LM Touring
Marquis Alfonso de Portago, E
(Don Alfonso Antonio Vicente Blas Ángel Francisco Borija Cabez de Vaca y Leighton, Carvajal y Are, XVII Marqués de Portago, Marqués de Moratalla, XIII Conde de La Mejorada, Conde de Pernia, Duke of Alagon, Grande de España) (Phuu!)
Duncan Hamilton, GB (DND)
DNS Eugenio Castellotti, I
2498
L4
S 3.0
2
1h
Accident
49
DNF
44
Automobiles Deutsch et Bonnet, F
DB HBR5 - Panhard
Fernand Carpentier, F
Pierre Savary, F (DND)
747
F2
S 750
2
2h
Accident
50
DNA
-

ERA G - Bristol
-
-
2000
L6
-
-
-
51
DNA
-
Scuderia Ferrari, I
Ferrari 625 LM Touring
Juan-Manuel Fangio, RA
Eugenio Castellotti, I
2498
L4
-
-
Drivers Sick
52
DNA
-
Automobili OSCA, I
OSCA MT4
Guilio Cabianca, I
Luigi Villoresi, I
-
L4
S 1.5
-
-
53
DNA
-
Jacques Pollet, F
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Jacques Pollet, F
-
2996
L8
S 3.0
-
-
54
DNA
-
Phoenix
Phoenix (EGY) - Turner 2SR6
Raymond Flower, GB
Mike Llewellyn, GB
-
-
S 2.0
-
-
55
DNA
-
Cooper Car Co, GB
Cooper T39 - Coventry Climax
Jack Brabham, AUS
Henry Taylor, GB
-
L4
S 1.5
-
-
56
DNA
-
Littery
Panhard Monopole
Robert Chancel, F
-
-
F2
S 750
-
-
57
DNA
-
Automobiles Frazer Nash Ltd, GB
Frazer Nash - BMW Continental
-
-
-
-
S 3.0
-
-
58
DNA
-
Automobili Stanguellini, I
Stanguellini Bialbero
-
-
-
L4
S 1.1
   
59
DNA
-
Michel Dubonnet, F
Ferrari 250 GT
Michel Dubonnet, F
Maurice Trintignant, F
-
-
S 3.0
-
-
60
DNA
-
Dick Fitzwilliam, GB
MG A
-
-
-
L4
S 1.5
-
-
1956 LeMans Track Under Construction
1956 LeMans Track Under Construction in June.
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