Link to Gallery 1-2-3 for Jaguar D-types
A thrilling duel between the Jaguar D-types of Johnny Herbert and Willie Green brought spontaneous applause from the vast crowds packing the stands at this year’s Le Mans Legend race, a few hours before the start of the modern 24 Hours. Herbert, driving Nigel Webb’s 1955 D-type, had taken pole position by a convincing eight seconds (with a time of 4min 59sec) but once the race began he had his work cut out, dicing for the lead with a very determined Willie Green. When both D-types came in together for the compulsory pit stop, Green managed to get away first but was soon overtaken by Herbert, who then consolidated his lead to finish 36 seconds ahead at the end of the race. Third place was also taken by a D-type, driven by Benjamin Eastick.
The Jaguar C-type of David Wenman and Julian Bronson came in fourth to win its class, while the C-type of Sir Stirling Moss and Nigel Webb took fifth overall. On the podium, Johnny Herbert commented on his pleasure at seeing Jaguar D-types take the first three places under such different circumstances from the tragic events of 50 years ago.
But the on-track action wasn’t limited to the front of the grid, with a tremendous variety of Le Mans cars from 1935 to 1955 battling for victory against their contemporaries. Class winners included James Baxter’s 1954 Frazer Nash Sebring, Michael Erlich’s 1953 Kieft Bristol, the 1938 Lagonda V12 Le Mans of Mark Butterworth and Simon Hope, and the 1936 Aston Martin Speed Model of David Freeman and Russell Busst.
With live TV coverage across Europe, plus a huge and knowledgeable crowd, the Le Mans Legend race has become far more than just an overture to the main event. To many, it is an essential part of the whole Le Mans weekend.
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