Le Mans Classic 2018 - Plateau One - 1923 to 1939

The Sunday morning race at the Esses with two BMWs a Talbot and an Alfa Romeo.

The Le Mans Classic Plateau 1 was for the pre-war era cars and contained a a huge variety of marques in the 69 car field.   Lots of beautiful racers from Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti and many other marques that the modern enthusiast never knew existed.  Some real racing by the brave enthusiasts who drive these cars; many are as raced pre-war with no roll over bars or seat belts.  Le Mans pre-war had a number of French winners including Chenard and Walcker (1923), Lorraine-Dietrich (1925 & 1926), Bugatti (1937 & 1939) and Delahaye (1938).  However, it was Bentley who was dominant early on with five wins between 1924 and 1930.  This of course cemented the popularity of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the British fans.  After Bentley, Alfa Romeo scored four wins a row between 1931 and 1934.  The only other pre-war victory went to the British marque Lagonda in 1935.   In 1936 there was no race as France was strike-bound.  Many of the other marques, such as Aston Martin, fought over Index of Performance and class victories.

I attended two of the three 45 minute races for this plateau and also spent a lot of time admiring the cars in the paddock.  A fantastic show.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.

THE PODIUM FINISHERS

The Talbot "team" celebrating their victory with the scratch winning No.17 car on the left.

The scratch winning 1931 Talbot 105 of Gareth Burnett.   The third place Bugatti and second placed Talbot follow through the Esses on the first lap  of Sunday's race.

The engine of the winning Talbot.  Note the other three Talbot cars  lined up alongside.

This 1928 Bugatti Type 35B won the Index of performance as well as third place overall driven by Robert Spencer.

This Riley TT Sprite  was a contender in the Index of Performance and proud of its lap time.

This red 1935 Aston Martin Ulster, seen here on Sunday, was runner-up in the Index of performance.

This 1935 Riley TT Sprite came third in the Index of Performance driven by Ian standing.

FRENCH MARQUES

The race is over so the owners of this wonderful 1932 Citroen C4 Roadster crack open a bottle of bubbly.

1936 Delage D6-70S

Car No.52 is a 1924 Chenard et Walcker T3.

1925 Lorraine-Dietrich B3/6 Sport.

1929 Bugatti Type 44.

1928 Bugatti T28B

Bugatti engineering.

1931 Bugatti Type 51

BRITISH MARQUES

1931 Invicta S Type.

1936 Aston Martin Speed Model

1928 Alvis FWD.

1936 Lagonda  LG45

1937 Aston Martin 2 litre Speed Model.

1926 Bentley 3 litre Tourer.

1935 MG PA

1934 Singer Le Mans

Morgans.  

ITALIAN MARQUES

1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Zagato in the Esses.leadin a Delage.

1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Zagato

1938 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 B MM leading a Bugatti at the Esses.

GERMAN MARQUES

1928 Mercedes-Benz SSK

The fourth placed 1939 BMW 328 Roadster.

The front of a BMW 328.

Preparation work in the paddock o  the sixth placed 1939 BMW 328 Roadster.

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John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page. 

Pre war Rolland Pilain in the car par.