1952 24 Hours of Le Mans
| 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans | |
| Previous: 1951 | Next: 1953 |
| Index: Races | Winners | |
The 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 20th Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 14–15 June 1952 at Circuit de la Sarthe.
After 22 years away, Mercedes-Benz returned in triumph, scoring a 1–2 victory with their new gull-wing Mercedes-Benz W194 which was equipped with a 3.0L S6 engine that had less power than the road car sold two years later.
This race was notable in that Pierre Levegh (Pierre Bouillin) attempted to drive the entire 24 Hours by himself – and almost won. Exhausted in the 24th hour, he missed a downshift in his Talbot-Lago and over-revved the engine, breaking a connecting rod. Antonio Lago carried a piece of the broken rod with him for several years thereafter as a keepsake.
This year the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) decreed that mudguards now had to be integral with the bodywork, unlike the pre-war style of cycle-type fenders. This meant cars had proper sports-car bodies and were not just modified grand prix cars. After ongoing issues with the fuel used in the race, the ACO’s ‘ternary’ fuel was made up of 75% gasoline, 15% alcohol and 10% benzole. The minimum replenishment period for fuel, water and oil was extended from 25 laps to 28. The target average lap speeds (i.e. minimum distances per hour) for each class were also increased. Finally, after 19 runs of the event, the prize money (FF 1 500 000) for the race-winner was raised to make it the same as that for the Index of Performance winner – just reflecting the stature that the teams and spectators had always placed on the overall race win.
There was huge interest this year in the race with well over a dozen multi-car works teams, self-built team owners and works-supported private entries. There were less than 20 genuine private entries, well in the minority of the 60 starters and reserves. This year the big news was the return of Mercedes-Benz to La Sarthe after 22 years, and the first entry from the Scuderia Ferrari works team.
Mercedes, led again by their pre-war team manager Alfred Neubauer arrived with a trio of W194 prototypes of what was to become the iconic '300SL' (Sport Licht). To fit, its new 3.0L S6 engine was tilted at a 50° angle, and tuned down a fraction to 165 bhp for better durability. Along with Neubauer were his pre-war team-drivers Hermann Lang and Karl Kling. Another pre-war Mercedes hero, Rudolf Caracciola may have driven, but had been side-lined by a serious accident that was to end his illustrious career.
...
Wikipedia