24h Le Mans
24 HOURS OF LE MANS CENTENARY – MAKES, MARQUES AND IMPRINTS ⎮ In 1926, Lorraine Dietrich became the first make to win several times, claiming the first podium sweep in the history of the race, a feat since equalled by Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche and Audi. The performance left a major imprint on the early years, not least because it was thanks to some ingenious innovation.
Lorraine Dietrich was a stalwart of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the time, fielding the famous B3-6 designed by Barbarou, a former aviation specialist. In 1923 the cars finished in 8th and 19th place.
In 1924, Lorraine Dietrich finished a lap behind Bentley but took both second and third place. Untouchable in 1925 and 1926, the 6-cylinder 3446cc sported horizontal carburettors and overhead valves with rocker arm commands. The chassis was a classic of that time: side rails, rigid axle front suspension mounted on two springs coupled with two friction dampers. At the rear, there were two overhanging long springs, again backed up by friction dampers. With 90hp, the car had a top speed of 145 kph. Nothing to write home about, but solid and reliable. With a first win at an average speed of 93 kph (starting on the Mulsanne Straight in fishbone formation, with the bonnet up), the car progressed to 106 kph on its second (start at Raineries).
1926 was the clean sweep – a rarity in the history of the race. One of the valiant Lorraine Dietrich’s took the start as late as 1931. Despite the car’s age, it finished fourth. Roger Labric took the wheel for the car’s last entry in 1933, its tenth anniversary, but it failed to last the course. In 1934, despite a larger engine, the car also did not finish. After another disappointment in 1935 the Lorraine Dietrich bowed out for good.
The race founders intended the long-distance race for “improved” production cars, to encourage meticulous preparation. Creative interpretation of the rulebook has always provided the stimulus for invention at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Lorraine Dietrich was quick to twig that weight is the enemy of performance and opted for Zalpon (coated fabric on a wood frame) bodywork, reducing overall weight by 80kg.
However, Lorraine Dietrich’s best-known invention literally showed the way. The story goes like this: at the lowest point of the circuit, between Maison Blanche and Pit In, there was often low-lying mist at night due to a nearby stream, which impaired vision in an already tricky zone. But low visibility is a story for another instalment on the Centenary series.
Back to the invention. In 1926, the radiators of the Lorraine Dietrichs were fitted with a single cyclops headlamp, providing long-distance visibility for their drivers at Le Mans. It was followed shortly after by fog lamps. The Roulecrottes stream hazard therefore improved road safety the world over, thanks to the engineers who sought to overcome the difficulty.
PHOTOS: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES, 24 HOURS OF LE MANS - FROM TOP (Copyright ARCHIVES ACO): The Lorraine Dietrich in the hands of Gérard de Courcelles and André Rossignol en route to victory in 1925; The Lorraine Dietrichs take a podium sweep, with Robert Bloch/André Rossignol (#6, winners), Gérard de Courcelles/Marcel Mongin (#5, second) and Stalter/Edouard Brisson (#4, third).
