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A grid of post-War Le Mans-type racers built up to 1955 (plus an invitation class for slightly later cars) provided a gripping spectacle for the vast Le Mans crowds, shortly before the start of the modern 24 Hours. On pole was Gary Pearson in his Jaguar C-type. Second on the grid was Joe Colasacco, in the Alfa Romeo 3000CM owned by Lawrence Auriana – a car driven by Fangio at Le Mans in 1953, and later gifted to Peron, President of Argentina. As the race began, it became clear that Colasacco was not going to let Pearson’s C-type get away from him. The Jaguar and Alfa diced for lap after lap, first one and then the other in the lead, as their lap times progressively dropped.
On the final lap of the race Pearson was ahead when Colasacco spun at Arnage and, although he recovered without damage – and without losing a place – this ensured the Jaguar scooped a comfortable first place. Fastest lap, however, went to Colasacco’s Alfa.
Stuart Graham put in a characteristically superb drive in Robert Waterhouse’s Austin-Healey 100S to come in third, with the HWM Sports of ‘Spike’ Milligan in fourth and Rick Hall’s Ferrari Monza in fifth. Meanwhile, the under-2000cc class was won stylishly by Chris Conoley in his HRG Singer, followed by David Alborough’s AC Ace Bristol and Diethelm Horbach’s Porsche 356. The invitation class for later cars was won convincingly by David Cottingham in his 1956 Ferrari 500 TRC, who also took ninth place overall.
Sir Stirling Moss expertly piloted the ex-Briggs Cunningham OSCA MT4 now owned by Roger Earl, after Sir Stirling’s own Jaguar C-type, which he had originally entered for the race, was unable to run. “The fact that Roger Earl gave up his drive to ensure Sir Stirling took part in the race exemplifies the spirit of the ACO Centenary Races,” said organiser Duncan Wiltshire of Motor Racing Legends. “It’s that sportsmanlike attitude from our competitors, plus the tremendous atmosphere of the Le Mans 24 Hours weekend, that makes these historic support races so special.”
Motor Racing Legends will be back at the 24 Hours next year, running the Le Mans Legend 2007 – for which a new era of Le Mans race cars will be chosen.
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