The first 24 Hours at Le Mans

The first 24 Hours of Le Mans ended on this day in 1923. This first of its kind automobile endurance race held in Le Mans, France began on the May 26 with 33 cars and all but three finished. The winners of the race were Frenchman André Lagache and René Léonard who were driving a Chenard et Walcker Sport. They completed 128 laps, while second place finished at 124. Originally the winner of the race was to be determined after three years of competition, combining the distance traveled over the race each year. This idea was abandoned after the first three year period, 1923-1925. The average speed of the 1923 race was 92.064 km/h, about 60 miles per hour. The race has been held every year since 1932 except 1936 and between the years 1940 to 1948 due to WWII. The next race will start June 15th, 2016 and will be the 84th running of the race. PhotosA snapshot of the 1923 Le MansAn overview of the 1923 track