Every June, the French Automobile Club stages the Le Mans 24 hour race at one of the most famous motor racing circuits in Europe. This film documents the drama and excitement of the 1952 Le Mans challenge.

The Le Mans circuit, which comprises of purely public roads, is 8.5 miles (14 km) long. With nearly sixty cars racing, the fastest competitors will be travelling at 160 mph down the three mile straight. The vehicles racing are road cars that must carry standard equipment along with all the spares and tools needed for the race. Some of the finest sports cars from France, Italy, Germany, England, and the USA take part. All 57 cars are lined up for the traditional Le Mans start with a crowd of 180,000 people watching in anticipation.

On lap three an Italian Ferrari goes round at an average of 107 mph (172 kmph), shattering the lap record previously held by Stirling Moss. Signals from the pits call the drivers in for refuelling and inform them of their position after two hours of racing. Through the night the French Gordini sets the pace at the highest average speed on the circuit, but by 3 am is out with brake trouble.

At 10 am on Sunday morning only 24 of the original 57 cars are still running. Pierre Levegh, ahead by 35 miles (55 km), has a clear lead over the German Mercedes. With three hours to go Levegh refuels for the last time and with victory in sight, despite extreme fatigue, decides to continue driving. Ninety minutes later he retires with a broken crankshaft.

Levegh reaches the pits a tired and disappointed man after having victory snatched from his grasp. With only 17 cars still running, the German Mercedes take first and second place, followed by the British Nash Healey in third. In years to come there will be much discussion about whether Levegh should have handed over to his second driver, but no one in France will forget his magnificent drive in the 1952 Le Mans 24 hour race.



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