24h Le Mans
Famous for the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix de Diane, Chantilly, the epitome of French racing elegance, began hosting an annual Concours d’Elégance in 2014. This year, the Peugeot 905, which sparked a new generation of prototypes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the nineties, will be in pride of place.
The car, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1993, is presented as part of an exhibition on the outstanding achievements of Jean Todt, FIA President and former Peugeot sports manager who turned 70 this year.
Peugeot made a clean sweep with the 905 in 1993. Not only did Bouchut, Hélary and Brabham take the trophy, but their teammates Fabi, Dalmas and Boutsen came second and the Jabouille/Baldo/Alliot crew rounded off the podium.
Five years earlier, in 1988, having dominated the rally world championship, Jean Todt announced that Peugeot would be entering the 24 Hours of Le Mans. At the time, the French endurance marathon was the favourite sparring ground for Group C prototypes. The regulations based on fuel consumption favoured marques such as Jaguar, Porsche and Sauber-Mercedes.
Then the Peugeot 905 came along. French engineer André de Cortanze designed a Grand Prix prototype with a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre engine. Jean Todt hired drivers with single-seater experience, budding stars or seasoned Formula One professionals: Keke Rosberg (Formula One world champion in 1982), Jean-Pierre Jabouille (Renault works driver in the 1970s), Mauro Baldi, Yannick Dalmas, Philippe Alliot, Derek Warwick, Mark Blundell, Eric Helary, Christophe Bouchut and Geoff Brabham. The latter is the only driver to have specialised in endurance throughout his whole career.
Peugeot ran Le Mans in 1991, 1992 and 1993 and Todt’s technical strategy paid off almost immediately. Although neither 905 finished the race on the first outing, the car was an instant hit with the local crowd.
With the new-look version of the 905, Jabouille, Alliot and Baldi started in pole position in both 1992 and 1993. In 1992 they finished third while the other crew composed of Frenchman Yannick Dalmas and British pair Mark Blundell and Derek Warwick, took victory.
After the one-two-three finish in 1993, Todt moved on to Formula One with Scuderia Ferrari and claimed thirteen world titles. Over a decade later, the Peugeot 905 remains a very popular car among Le Mans fans.
Photo (Louis Monnier / ACO): Jean Todt turned 70 on 25 February. The car with which he won Le Mans, the Peugeot 905, remains an iconic car. After a successful outing in the Group C races at Le Mans Classic this year, it basks in the limelight at the Chantilly Arts & Elégance show.
