24h Le Mans
The 1925 Rudge-Whitworth triennial cup, awarded to Chenard & Walcker for its results in the first three editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has been lent to the Mus
The three founders of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Georges Durand, Secretary of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest of France; Charles Faroux, "La Vie Automobile" journalist; and Emile Coquille, Rudge-Whitworth importer, also created the Rudge-Whitworth cup to be awarded to the best ranked marque of the first three editions of the race.
The cup which boasts the name of a British two-wheeler manufacturer, was naturally given to Chenard & Walcker, victorious in the first race, then placed its cars in the first, second and seventh places in 1923, in fourth and fifth in 1924, and in 10th and 13th in 1925.
The French constructor experiencing some problems, Henri Toutée - the engineer who designed the engine of the 1925 Tank Z1, considered the first prototype built by a marque - left Chenard & Walcker. His boss offered him the Rudge-Whitworth cup, kept ever since in the Toutée family. Indeed, Henri Toutée being heirless, his nephews François and Jean-Claude inherited the cup. They made the decision to lend the Rudge-Whitworth cup to be displayed at the Musée des 24 Heures-Circuit de la Sarthe.
The handing over of the cup took place during the crowdfunding donors' soirée.
Cécile Bonardel / ACO - Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), MUSEE DES 24 HEURES, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 16 2015. The Rudge-Whitworth Cup is being exhibited at the Musée des 24 Heures.
