1934 24 Hours of Le Mans

12th 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race 1933 1934 1935 The 1934 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 12th Grand Prix of Endurance. It took place at the Circuit de la Sarthe on 16 and 17 June 1934. Four privateer Alfa Romeo entries were expected to fight for outright honours, with an outside chance for the four Bugattis ranged against them. British cars dominated the smaller classes. Two-time winner Raymond Sommer soon took the lead until, after only 90 minutes, he stopped out on the circuit with smoke pouring from his engine. For the next five hours the Alfas of Luigi Chinetti and Earl Howe duelled for the lead. However, soon after night fell, the lights failed on Howe's Alfa costing him two hours to get the electrics repaired. Chinetti took the lead, but their car had developed a leak in the fuel tank. The solution was the same as Sommer had used the previous year: to plug the gap with chewing-gum. By the halfway point, there was only a single competitive big-engine car left running, and interest shifted to the race for the Index of Performance between the four British firms of Aston Martin, MG, Riley and Singer. For a time, with race attrition, the 1.1-litre MG of John Ford was running second overall, until a three-car pile-up at Maison Blanche took it out of the race. The Aston Martin challenge collapsed in a disastrous two laps that saw three of their works cars retire. This left the Riley works team to finish second, third, fifth and sixth and claim both the Index of Performance and Biennial Cup. Chinetti and Étancelin held on to win comfortably overall, with the second-biggest winning margin to date, of 180 km on, albeit the shortest overall winning distance of the decade. Regulations and Organisation The renovation of the circuit and facilities by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) were completed. A completely new pit complex was built. Made of concrete with capacity for 60 cars, it was separated from the pit lane and racing track by a wooden picket fence. Pit counters were provided with a second storey for trade stands and guests. Eco and Jupiter, the French distributors of Esso and Shell fuel respectively, pay for each pit-box to be installed with a 1000-litre tank, gantry and hoses to allow refuelling direct to the cars. This was regulated to be at 120 litres/minute.Spurring 2017, p.148Bernard et al 2023, p.82Clausager 1982, p.20Laban 2001, p.80Williams 2023, p.71 Race control was also housed in the new pit complex, alongside new viewing balconies above the pits.Bernard et al 2023, p.84 However, the £25 entry fee dissuaded many of the small teams from availing themselves of them.http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 A large restaurant opened beside the main grandstand. All the spectator areas now had access to drinking water, and had an earthen bank and fencing put between them and the circuit. Additionally, a 25-hectare golf-course built inside the circuit. Reflecting the greater commercialism of the event, the two main camping areas were regulated and numbered to allow charging spectators who wanted to camp overnight. Loudspeakers were placed every 100 metres along the new stretch of the circuit between the pits and Tertre Rouge, where very large crowds now gathered. Regarding the track itself, after Odette Siko's accident the year before, the straights between the Mulsanne and Arnage were resurfaced and trees along the roadside were felled.http://www.24h-en-piste.com/en/Histoire.php#1934 24H en-Piste www.24h-en-piste.com 2022-05-28 It was also notable the increasing proliferation of advertising banners along the circuit. A common trend of the time was for big sporting events to have an associated song with a song with a catchy tune. This year, one was unveiled for the race. Composed by Le Mans music lecturer Émile Baudrier, it was called ACO: Marche Officielle des 24 Heures du Mans with lyrics by Parisian actor Lucien Cazalis, and proved very popular.Bernard et al 2023, p.317 In the years of alternating fuel suppliers, this year Esso had four fuel choices: its regular fuel, a premium grade, 100% benzole and a 70/15/15 blend of the regular with benzole and ethanol. With the new fuel rigs, the ACO allowed a second mechanic to work on a car in the pits, nominated solely as the refueller. The minimum running distance between refuelling stops remained at 24 laps.Clarke 1998, p.130: Autocar Jun22 1933 The ACO made significant increases to the class distance-targets, this time in the mid-range engines, with an extra 125 km added to the minimum distance for 3-litre cars for example. Three 8-hour practice sessions were scheduled on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights between 10pm and 6am. Public traffic was also allowed onto the roads at the same time, but this year was only allowed to travel in the same direction as the racing cars. thumb|300px|Le Mans in 1934 Engine size 1933Minimum distance 1934Minimum distance Average speed Equivalent laps 6000cc+ 2600 km on 2640 km on 110.0 km/h on 195.7 laps 5000cc 2600 km on 2632 km on 109.7 km/h on 195.1 laps 4000cc 2500 km on 2610 km on 108.8 km/h on 193.5 laps 3000cc 2325 km on 2450 km on 102.1 km/h on 181.6 laps 2000cc 2100 km on 2200 km on 91.7 km/h on 163.1 laps 1500cc 2000 km on 2100 km on 87.5 km/h on 155.7 laps 1100cc 1830 km on 1880 km on 78.3 km/h on 139.4 laps 750cc 1580 km on 1700 km on 70.8 km/h on 126.0 laps Spurring 2017, p.360 Entries Whether due to the ongoing economic recovery, the improved facilities or the thrilling 10-second margin of victory the previous year by superstar Tazio Nuvolari, the race received the largest number of entrants for ten years.Clausager 1982, pp.60-1 Over half of those were from British marques.http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 Out of the 52 applicants, 45 arrived on race-week for scrutineering with works entries received from the British Aston Martin, Riley and Singer companies and the small French manufacturer Tracta. Although British cars made up almost half the field, none were likely outright race winners. Those would probably come from the privateer Alfa Romeos or Bugattis. From the thirteen finishers in the previous year’s race, twelve returned to contest the Biennial Cup, which therefore shaped up to be a significant competition.Spurring 2017, pp.146-7 As grid-order and Index distance were based on engine size (unmodified for supercharging, for the grid position), and there were no prizes for class victory, the nominal class groupings were largely irrelevant. Category Entries Classes Large-sized engines 13 / 8 over 3-litre Medium-sized engines 15 / 14 1.5 to 3-litre Small-sized engines 24 / 22 up to 1.5-litre Total entrants 52 / 44 Note: The first number is the number of entries, the second the number who started. Using the equivalent engine-size with supercharged engines having the x1.4 conversion factor Over 2-litre entries thumb|300px|Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 Monza For the past three years, Alfa Romeo had dominated Le Mans. The works team had been closed down, with the customer team Scuderia Ferrari representing the marque in Grand Prix racing across Europe. However, in sports-car racing, the team only competed in Italy. Eight private entrants were put forward although only half of them arrived. Both Raymond Sommer and Luigi Chinetti (winners together in 1932 and 1st and 2nd respectively in 1933) were back to contest the Biennial Cup. Sommer was aiming to equal Woolf Barnato's record winning three Le Mans in a row. He would be driving an Alfa Romeo with a Grand Prix Monza chassis owned by wealthy Parisian doctor Pierre Félix (bought through Chinetti's Alfa Romeo dealership), modified to accommodate the mandatory two rear seats. The Monza engine gave 180 bhp, an extra 25-30 bhp over the other Alfa entries. Félix had a second entry that did not eventuate.Spurring 2017, p.150Williams 2023, p.72 Chinetti had a corto (short-wheelbase) Mille Miglia chassis and brought in French Grand Prix racer Philippe Étancelin as his co-driver. Englishman Earl Howe had won the race in 1931 but had been unable to compete in 1933 because of an eye injury. He returned this year with his 8C-2300 Le Mans, with its 4-seater lungo (long) touring body and with former Talbot stalwart Tim Rose-Richards as his co-driver. Rose-Richards had also filed his own entry for another 8C-2300 Le Mans, driven by Owen Saunders-Davies and Freddie Clifford.Spurring 2017, pp.152-3 thumb|300px|Bugatti Type 55 There were five big Bugattis entered this year. Racing journalist Roger Labric got a degree of works support, with two mechanics from Molsheim and test-driver Pierre Veyron. His was the biggest Bugatti – the supercharged 5-litre Type 50 run by the late Guy Bouriat and Albert Divo in 1931.Spurring 2017, p.162 There were three Type 55 cars entered, with their 2.3-litre supercharged engines. That of the Équipe Braillard did not arrive, while the others were of privateers Charles Brunet and Victor Bayard.Spurring 2017, p.163 There was also a privately entered 3-litre Type 44, a popular touring model but only capable of 80 bhp. It was not expected to be among the front-runners, even among the smaller British sports cars, but it would be reliable with an engine not over-stressed. thumb|300px|Bugatti Type 44 Once again, Prince Nicholas of Romania had the biggest car in the field, with his elegant Duesenberg Model SJ. Its supercharged 6.9-litre twin-cam engine put out 320 bhp with a top speed of 215 kp/h (135 mph).Spurring 2017, p.140-1 This year he was partnered by Whitney Straight, the Anglo-American with his own grand prix racing team. Labric’s 8-year old Lorraine-Dietrich was now owned by Daniel Porthault, who entered with Just-Émile Vernet, using Vernet’s tenth place finish in a Salmson last year, to take the entry to the Biennial Cup.Spurring 2017, p.174 1- to 2-litre entries thumb|300px|Riley MPH British cars dominated the medium-sized categories. There were six Rileys entered, including a squad of four works cars. Following on from its successful Brooklands Six racer of the start of the decade, two new designs were unveiled in 1934. The MPH had a 1458cc straight-six engine that now put out 70 bhp, while the Riley Nine Imp, was a short-wheelbase, low-slung version of the Riley Nine, with its 50 bhp 1087cc 4-cylinder engine. For their racing debuts, five cars were brought to Le Mans. Two of the MPHs were entered, for Freddie Dixon / Cyril Paul and Frenchmen Jean Sébilleau / Georges Delaroche. There were also three Imps, including a private effort sponsored by Dorothy Champney (who would soon marry managing director Victor Riley), who had Kay Petre as her co-driver. Those five cars all had the new Wilson pre-selector gearbox.Spurring 2017, pp.154-5 The works team also entered their last, unsold, Brooklands Nine taking the Biennial Cup spot. It was the one raced the previous year by Sébilleau / Delaroche and given to Ken Peacock and Bill van der Becke, who had earned the entry in that race finishing fourth. thumb|300px|Aston Martin Le Mans This was the first race for the new Aston Martin design, the Mark 2 Le Mans, from Technical Director ”Bert” Bertelli. The 1.5-litre engine was developed from their racing experience and in the special lightened frame, could get the cars up to 175 kp/h (110 mph). The works team was managed by former Le Mans winner Sammy Davis, with three cars, led by Bertelli himself. There were also two private entries.Spurring 2017, p.165-6 thumb|300px|MG K3 Magnette The MG K3 had proven to be a giant-killer in British handicap races and on the continent, including consecutive Tourist Trophy victories by Tazio Nuvolari. It was a lightened, short-wheelbase, variant of the K-series and with a Roots supercharger, the 1087cc engine could put out 115 bhp. John Ludovic Ford and Roy Eccles both brought new cars to Le Mans, however Eccles ran his one unsupercharged to get a shorter distance in the Index competition.Spurring 2017, pp.157-8 After just a single entry last year, Singer put in a concerted effort this year. The Singer Nine Le Mans came with two engine options. The 1493cc version put out 63 bhp and was fitted with Singer’s constant-mesh gearbox. On the Hunaudières Straight, it could get up to 170 kp/h (105 mph). The company supported two customer teams, both eligible for the Biennial Cup. Stanley Barnes had raced the Singer last year. Arthur Fox had run Lagondas and Talbots at Le Mans for five years. Still awaiting the new Lagonda, he had a Biennial entry from finishing third in 1933 with an Alfa Romeo. His drivers were Brian Lewis, Baron Essendon (fresh from winning the Mannin Moar on the Isle of Man) and Johnny Hindmarsh.Spurring 2017, pp.159-60 Automobiles Derby was a Paris-based British company, taken over by former Bentley works driver Douglas Hawkes. He worked with renowned female motorcyclist and racer, Gwenda Stewart to develop a new four-wheel drive models. After the L2, came the L8 with a new 2-litre V8 engine that could develop 85 bhp. Two came to Le Mans- one for Stewart and Derby test driver Louis Bonne, and the other for ex-boxing champion Louis Villeneuve, and motor-racing artist Georges Hamel.Spurring 2017, pp.174-5 thumb|300px|Lagonda Rapier The other Bugatti in the field was an unusual hybrid – Auguste Bodoignet had taken the supercharged 1.5-litre Bugatti engine out of his Type 37 and instead fitted a 1351 cc straight-four supercharged Ruby K engine. His co-driver was Fernand Vallon, here for his tenth Le Mans.Spurring 2017, p.164 Another one-off special was entered by Edward Russell, Lord de Clifford. A two-seat prototype of the new Lagonda Rapier, it was fitted with a short-crankshaft 1080cc and an over-sized 82-litre fuel tank.Spurring 2017, p.169 up to 1-litre entries Clément-Auguste Martin, and his Équipe de l’Ours team, had bought up the race-cars from Amilcar when they retired from motor-racing. This year, in conjunction with client-drivers, he entered four cars in various configurations. A number of changes were made before the race, but in the end there was one entry in the 1-litre class and the other three had 1.1-litre side-valve engines. The most interesting variant was that of Jean de Gavardie, along with the straight-6 1092cc engine without its supercharger (which meant needing 13 fewer laps to be run), was fitted with a streamlined aluminium "tank" bodyshell. Gavardie once again had veteran Arthur Duray as his co-driver, who had formerly raced with Aries four times in the 1920s.Spurring 2017, pp.167-8 thumb|300px|Singer Nine Le Mans As well as the two 1.5-litre Singers, there were a further four 972cc versions entered. The engine had been developed and could put out almost 40 bhp. Two works entries (for Stan Barnes’ brother Donald with journalist Tommy Wisdom, and Norman Black/Roddy Black)were supported by two other privateer efforts. MG also had small-engine entries in the 1-litre class. The Midget PA was the successor to the J2 model. The new 847cc engine put out 36 bhp and with it strengthened chassis the car could get up to 120 kp/h (75 mph). Two were entered (including one by female hillclimb racer Anne-Cécile Rose-Itier) as well as a J4 model.Spurring 2017, p.170 This year, the works Tracta team prepared two cars, one taking the Biennial Cup entry.Spurring 2017, p.172 The Alin brothers also returned with their BNC 527 for the Cup. However, this time they reduced the size of the Ruby engine to run in the 1-litre class.Spurring 2017, p.171 Likewise, Charles Metchim brought back his Austin 7. In the interim, he had upgraded it to the Ulster sports version. With its improved twin-carburettor engine, it was now capable of 120 kp/h (75 mph).Spurring 2017, p.173 Practice and Pre-Race Étancelin put in the fastest lap in practice with a new lap record of 5:26. Comparative times include Brunet's Bugatti doing 5:45 and Lord Howe clocking a 5:55 in practice.http://lemans-history.com/qualificacoes.php?ano=1934 Le Mans History www.lemans-history.com 2022-05-28 The only casualty was the big Duesenberg that had an issue on the morning warm-up. The throttle valve stuck open and the excess petrol sent into the engine stripped the oil off the pistons and seized the engine.http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 Race Start Raceday was fine and very hot. This year, the honorary starter was the president of the French Auto Club Vicomte de Rohan Chabot. First away was Tim Rose-Richards pursued by Raymond Sommer. Nearing the end of the first lap, "Bert" Bertelli found his Aston Martin stuck in first gear coming out of Arnage and spun in the middle of the road. The rest of the field scrambled past without hitting him. With gearbox problems, it took him half an hour to get going again.Clarke 1998, p.131: Autocar Jun22 1933http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 On lap three, Sommer took the lead and started putting in laps almost ten seconds faster than the rest of the field. By the end of the first hour he had built up a lead of almost two minutes. Alfa Romeos filled the top four places with Sommer, Rose-Richards, Chinetti and Saunders-Davies ahead of Veyron and Brunet in their Bugattis. An excellent seventh was John Ford's little, supercharged MG Magnette ahead of the 1.5-litre competition.http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 At the end of the first hour, Sommer had a lead of almost a kilometre over Rose-Richards and Chinetti.http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 However, at 5.30pm, the radio speakers announced that the leader's car had stopped, on fire out on the track. Sommer was the race's first retirement and had pulled up at Arnage with steam and smoke pouring from the engine.Williams 2023, p.73http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 Soon after, Max Fourny's Bugatti ran out of petrol and when he finally got back to the pits was disqualified for receiving outside assistance.Clarke 1998, p.132: Autocar Jun22 1933 The high temperatures were melting some of the new tar-seal and marshals spread wood-chips onto the track to alleviate that.http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 Aside from a few spins on the slippery surface there were no serious accidents. The first pit-stops were around the two-hour mark, after the mandatory 24 laps. A faster pit-change from the Chinetti-Étancelin team put them in front until Earl Howe reeled them in and retook the lead at 8.15pm, on lap 43.Clarke 1998, p.133: Autocar Jun22 1933 Meanwhile, a lap behind Saunders-Davies had pitted his Alfa Romeo from third with engine issues. Resuming in 17th, he completed only a few more laps before retiring on his lap 40 with a broken valve. So as dusk fell, this left just two Alfas in the race (albeit running 1-2).http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 Night Howe led into the night until electrical problems suddenly left him with no headlights at 10.30pm. Stopping on the Hunaudières Straight, he spent over an hour making the repairs under advisement from one of his pit-crew. Getting back to the pits, he resumed in 11th place.http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 Over the course of the next two hours, Howe drove hard to get back up to sixth place until at 1am he pitted with clutch problems that proved to be terminal. Despite now holding a sizeable lead, Chinetti and Étancelin had their own issues with a leaking fuel-tank. As the leaders the previous year had done, the mechanics used chewing gum to seal the tank.http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 The big Labric/Veyron Bugatti was a distant second, until soon after midnight when Veyron pulled up on the Mulsanne Straight with a broken engine. This all allowed the remarkable progress of the 1.1-litre MG to continue, with Ford and Baumer now up to second, six laps behind the Alfahttp://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14), ahead of the Brunet Bugatti Type 55. The Biennial Cup was being dominated by the small British cars, with the von der Becke/Peacock Riley leading the MG, with the Fothringham/Appleton Aston Martin in third, and fourth on the track. This all changed in a hectic hour: Appleton spun on gravel at the Tertre Rouge corner and stuck himself into the sandbank. He ran back to the pits for instructions and two hours later was back in action although potentially also with outside assistance (vehemently denied by Appleton). Then just before 2am, Félix Quinault spun his Tracta at Maison Blanche. John Ford braked heavily but just clipped the Tracta and ending in the roadside ditch. Following the MG, Charles Brunet was suddenly blinded by the headlights facing towards him and his Bugatti ended up in the ditch beside the MG. Anne-Cécile Rose-Itier narrowly avoided the carnage. Quinault was able to limp back to the pits and get repaired, but Ford and Brunet were both out the race.Spurring 2017, pp.164http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 Despite another electrical failure, Howe had got back up to sixth by 1am when clutch problems struck the Alfa. The pit-crew did their best but the damage was terminal and the "Lord-Earl" was out, now leaving just the one Alfa Romeo running.http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 Although with a 100-km lead, their leaking fuel-tank gave the pursuing pack of small British cars hopes of an improbable victory. The Morris-Goodall Aston Martin was now second with the three Rileys of van der Becke (still leading the Biennial Cup), Sébilleau and Dixon next; the team having an excellent race.Clarke 1998, p.134: Autocar Jun22 1933 The race settled back down through the rest of the night. After the halfway point, at 4am, two cars were disqualified after failing to complete their minimum halfway distance. Gordon Hendy’s privateer Singer had been delayed by fuel-feed issues and the gearbox of the Bertelli Aston Martin had finally packed up and taken too long to repair. By now, all but two of the large-engine cars were now retired and out the race.http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 Morning As dawn broke, the Alfa Romeo had a lead of over an hour.Clarke 1998, p.135: Autocar Jun22 1933 Morris-Goodall spent seven minutes securing the steering column of his Aston Martin but was still secure in second. The three Rileys had reversed their positions, with Dixon now third, ahead of Sébilleau and van der Becke. The team had given team orders to the van der Becke car to ease off and preserve their engine, as they now had a commanding lead over its nearest competition for the Biennial Cup.Spurring 2017, pp.156 Soon after 10am, triple disappointment hit the Aston Martin team. Appleton had pitted with low oil-pressure then stopped out on the track. Then, after running second for almost eight hours, the engine of Morris-Goodall’s Aston Martin suffered a broken oil pipe stranding him out on the track. To cap it off, all on the same lap, the private Aston of Reggie Tongue crept into the pits with a shredded tyre.Spurring 2017, p.167http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 Finish and post-race thumb|300px|Philippe Étancellin, the winner of the 1934 Le Mans But the demise of the Aston Martins were the final retirements, as the remainder of the field held on to reach the finish.Clarke 1998, p.136: Autocar Jun22 1933 Chinetti and Étancelin took the flag with a large margin of 13 laps 180 km on – the biggest of the decade, and second only to the Bentley win in 1927. In contrast, having been without direct competition for over half the race, the gentler pace of the winners as they eased off meant it was the shortest distance covered in the decade. Having 23 finishers was the highest number since the very first race back in 1923. However, with virtually all the other big-engine cars retiring, the podiums were dominated by the smaller cars and in a fine result for British motoring, 16 of those cars were British cars.Spurring 2017, pp.149Laban 2001, p.82 The Riley works team took four of the next five places, led by Sébilleau/Delaroche, a lap ahead of Dixon/Paul. The 1.1-litre car of Peacock/van der Becke, coming home in fifth, repeated their victory in the Index of Performance from the year before, completing an outstanding 52 laps (37%) over target. This time, however, the margin was far narrower, finishing less than 3km ahead of team-mates Newsome/Maclure. But the consecutive results also meant they had a guaranteed win in the Biennial Cup. Interrupting the Riley procession was the supercharged MG Magnette of Eccles/Martin. They had overtaken the unsupercharged Riley earlier in the afternoon as the latter concentrated on finishing for trophy victories. Seventh was the Lewis/Hindmarsh Singer. Delayed early on for 45 minutes with carburettor problems, they had driven very hard through the night and all Sunday back up the field, making up time. Although only 9km behind van der Becke, they had a tougher Index target with their 1.5-litre engine and finished second in the Biennial Cup.Spurring 2017, p.156 The quasi-works Singer of Frank Barnes was eighth and wrapped up a 1-2-3 for British cars in the Cup. The Bugatti tourer of Mahé/Desvignes was the only other car over 2-litres to finish, aside from the winner, coming home in ninth. Not built for speed, it was easier on its engine and having got into the top-ten during the night, its reliability got it to the end. De Clifford bought his Lagonda home in 16th place. Early in the night a stone had been thrown up and struck him in the face, smashing his goggles. Thereafter they had run steadily until lunchtime when the engine dropped a cylinder.http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/July-1934/6/English-small-cars-sweep-the-board-at-le-mans/ Motorsport Magazine archive www.motorsportmagazine.com 2022-09-14 Among the female drivers, fortunes were mixed: Champney and Petre had an uneventful race and came home in 13th. Anne-Cécile Rose-Itier also had a trouble-free run, going to a prescribed pace and finishing 17th. Her MG beat its target distance by 30 laps. Gwenda Stewart only ran sixteen laps in the new Derby-Miller before the engine packed up. Later in the year though, she set a new speed record at Monthlèry in the car. Étancelin was honoured with a civic reception in his home city of Rouen and he resolved to drive the winning Alfa Romeo to the event. The car was filled with petrol for the journey, but by the time he brought his bags down from the hotel, the gas had leaked out all over the forecourt, as the fuel tank had not been repaired since the finish. After a solid run in Le Mans, a fortnight later, Mahé and Desvignes took the Bugatti Type 44 to victory at Spa, this year run as a 10-hour touring car race. The next year, Lord de Clifford gained notoriety as the last British peer tried in the House of Lords. He was an advocate for compulsory driver licences and speed limits, which came into British law in 1934. He was accused of speeding when involved in a fatal head-on car accident from a car travelling on the wrong side of the road. With the evidence provided he was acquitted. This was the last race for Tracta. Founder Jean-Albert Grégoire instead chose to market the innovative four-wheel drive technology and work with other manufacturers. Alongside Panhard and Alvis, the most significant collaboration was with Willys that used it with its Jeep. Official results Finishers Results taken from Quentin Spurring’s book, officially licensed by the ACOSpurring 2017, p.2 Class Winners are in Bold text. Pos Position ClassNo. Car number Team Drivers Chassis Engine Tyre Targetdistance* Laps Laps completed 1 >3.0** 9 ITA 1861 L. Chinetti(private entrant) ITA 1861 Luigi ChinettiFRA Philippe Étancelin Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 MM-LM Alfa Romeo 2.3L S8supercharged Englebert 187 [B] 213 2 1.5 27 GBR Riley (Coventry Ltd) FRA Jean SébilleauFRA Georges Delaroche Riley 12/6 MPH Racing Riley 1458cc S6 Dunlop 155 200 3 1.5 28 GBR Riley (Coventry Ltd) GBR Freddie DixonGBR Cyril Paul Riley 12/6 MPH Racing Riley 1458cc S6 Dunlop 155 199 4 1.5 34 GBR R. Eccles(private entrant) GBR Roy EcclesGBR Charlie Martin MG K3 Magnette MG 1087cc S6 Dunlop 143 197 5 1.5 36 GBR Riley (Coventry Ltd GBR Kenneth PeacockGBR Alex “Bill” van der Becke Riley Nine Brooklands Riley 1087cc S4 Dunlop 143 [B] 195 6 1.5 37 GBR Riley (Coventry Ltd GBR Sammy NewsomeGBR Edgar Maclure Riley Nine Imp Riley 1087cc S4 Dunlop 143 195 7 1.5 26 GBR Arthur W. Fox GBR Brian Lewis, Baron EssendonGBR Johnny Hindmarsh Singer Nine Le Mans 1½ Litre Singer 1493cc S4 Dunlop 156 [B] 195 8 1.5 25 GBR F. S. Barnes(private entrant) GBR F. Stanley BarnesGBR Alf Langley Singer Nine Le Mans 1½ Litre Singer 1493cc S4 Dunlop 156 [B] 192 9 3.0 4 FRA N.-J. Mahé(private entrant) FRA Norbert Jean MahéFRA Jean Desvignes Bugatti Type 44 Bugatti 3.0L S8 Englebert 182 191 10 1.5 20 GBR “A. Vincent” (R.E. Tongue)(private entrant) GBR Reggie TongueGBR Maurice Faulkner Aston Martin 1½ Le Mans Aston Martin 1496cc S4 Dunlop 156 188 11 1.5 24 GBR J. Noël(private entrant) GBR John Cecil NoëlGBR Jen Wheeler Aston Martin 1½ Le Mans Aston Martin 1496cc S4 Dunlop 156 180 12 1.5 39 FRA J. Trévoux(private entrant) FRA Jean TrévouxFRA René Carriére Riley Nine Imp Riley 1087cc S4 Dunlop 143 174 13 1.5 38 GBR Miss D. Champney(private entrant) GBR Dorothy ChampneyCAN 1921 Kay Petre Riley Nine Imp Riley 1087cc S4 Dunlop 143 172 14 1.5 32 FRA Équipe de l’Ours FRA J. de Gavardie FRA Jean de GavardieFRA Arthur Duray Amilcar C6Spéciale Martin Amilcar 1092cc S6 Dunlop 144 [B] 168 15 1.0 48 GBR Singer Motors Ltd GBR Norman BlackGBR Roddy Baker Singer Nine Le Mans Singer 973cc S4 Dunlop 139 163 16 1.5 40 GBR Lord de Clifford(private entrant) GBR Edward Russell, Lord de CliffordGBR Charles Brackenbury Lagonda RapierDe Clifford Special Lagonda 1080cc S4 Dunlop 143 163 17 1.0 52 FRA Mme A.-C. Rose-Itier(private entrant) FRA Anne-Cécile Rose-ItierFRA Charles Duruy MG PA Midget MG 844cc S4 Dunlop 132 162 18 1.0 47 GBR Singer Motors Ltd GBR Tommy WisdomGBR Donald Barnes Singer Nine Le Mans Singer 973cc S4 Dunlop 139 161 19 1.0 44 FRA SA des AutomobilesTracta FRA Félix QuinaultFRA “Daniélault” (David Marchand) Tracta Type A SCAP 996cc S4 Dunlop 140 [B] 158 20 1.5 42 FRA Équipe de l’Ours FRA C.-A. Martin FRA Charles-Auguste MartinFRA Fernand Pousse Amilcar C6/4Spéciale Martin Amilcar 1075cc S4 Dunlop 143 155 21 1.0 45 FRA Alin Fréres(private entrant) FRA Adrien AlinFRA Albert Alin BNC Type 527 Sport Ruby 992cc S4 Dunlop 140 [B] 150 22 1.0 31 FRA Équipe de l'OursFRA C. Poiré FRA Camille PoiréFRA Gaston Robail Amilcar C6/4Spéciale Martin Amilcar 998cc S4 Dunlop 140 148 23 1.0 50 GBR R.P. Gardner(private entrant) GBR Goldie GardnerGBR Alfred Beloë Singer Nine Le Mans Singer 973cc S4 Dunlop 139 143 Did not finish Pos Class No Team Drivers Chassis Engine Tyre Targetdistance* Laps Reason DNF 1.5 23 GBR Aston Martin Ltd GBR Mortimer Morris-GoodallGBR Jim Elwes Aston Martin 1½ Le Mans Aston Martin 1494cc S4 Dunlop 156 155 engine (18 hr) DNF 1.5 22 GBR Aston Martin Ltd GBR Thomas Fotheringham-ParkerGBR John Appleton Aston Martin 1½ Le Mans Aston Martin 1494cc S4 Dunlop 156 [B] 141 engine (18 hr) DNF >3.0 3 FRA J.-É. Vernet(private entrant) FRA Just-Émile VernetFRA Daniel Porthault Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 Le Mans Lorraine-Dietrich 3.5L S6 Dunlop 190 [B] 133 engine (~dawn) DNF 1.0 54 GBR H.B. Metchim(private entrant) GBR Charles MetchimGBR Cecil Masters Austin 7 Ulster Austin 749cc S4 Dunlop 127 95 electrics (~21 hr) DNF 2.0 ** 29 FRA A. Bodoignet(private entrant) FRA Auguste BodoignetFRA Fernand Vallon Bugatti Type 37A Spéciale Ruby 1351cc S4supercharged Dunlop 161 90 engine (~16 hr) DNF 2.0 ** 33 GBR J.L. Ford(private entrant) GBR John Ludovic FordGBR Maurice Baumer MG K3 Magnette MG 1087cc S6supercharged Dunlop 157 [B] 85 accident (10 hr) DNF >3.0 ** 6 GBR Earl Howe(private entrant) GBR Francis Curzon, Earl HoweGBR Tim Rose-Richards Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 LM Alfa Romeo 2.4L S8supercharged Dunlop 181 85 transmission (10 hr) DNF 1.5 30 FRA J.-É. Vernet(private entrant) FRA Albert DebilleFRA Jean Viale Salmson GS Spéciale Salmson 1094cc S4 Dunlop 149 82 ? (dawn) DNF >3.0 ** 14 FRA C. Brunet(private entrant) FRA Charles BrunetFRA "Jean Renaldi" (André Carré) Bugatti Type 55 Bugatti 2.3L S8supercharged Dunlop 185 75 accident (10 hr) DNF >3.0 2 FRA R. Labric(private entrant) FRA Roger LabricFRA Pierre Veyron Bugatti Type 50S Bugatti 4.9L S8supercharged Dunlop 196 73 engine (9 hr) DSQ 1.0 49 GBR G. Hendy(private entrant) GBR Gordon HendyGBR James Boulton Singer Nine Le Mans Singer 973cc S4 Dunlop 139 59 insufficient distance (13 hr) DSQ 1.5 21 GBR Aston Martin Ltd GBR Augustus "Bert" BertelliGBR Clifton Penn-Hughes Aston Martin 1½ Le Mans Aston Martin 1496cc S4 Dunlop 156 [B] 59 insufficient distance (13 hr) DNF 2.0 16 FRA L. Villeneuve(private entrant) FRA Louis VilleneuveFRA “Géo Ham” (Georges Hamel) Derby L8 Derby 1996cc V8 Dunlop 164 44 transmission(night) DNF >3.0 ** 5 GBR T. Rose-Richards(private entrant) GBR Freddy CliffordGBR Owen Saunders-Davies Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 LM Alfa Romeo 2.4L S8supercharged Dunlop 188 40 engine (5 hr) DNF 1.0 46 FRA R. Gaillard(private entrant) FRA Raymond GaillardFRA Paul Vallée Rally NCP Salmson 989cc S4 Dunlop 139 38 ? (nightfall) DNF 1.5 ** 53 FRA P. Maillard-Brune(private entrant) FRA Philippe Maillard-BruneFRA Charles Druck MG J4 Midget MG 745cc S4supercharged Dunlop 142 30 engine(evening) DNF 1.0 43 FRA SA des AutomobilesTracta FRA Pierre PadraultFRA . Charlault Tracta Type A SCAP 999cc S4 Dunlop 140 23 electrics(evening) DNF 2.0 18 GBR Miss G. Stewart (private entrant) GBR Gwenda StewartGBR Louis Bonne Derby L8 Derby 1996cc V8 Dunlop 163 16 engine(evening) DSQ >3.0 ** 15 FRA V. Bayard(private entrant) FRA Max FournyFRA Louis Decaroli Bugatti Type 55 Bugatti 2.3L S8supercharged Dunlop 185 15 outsideassistance DNF 1.5 41 FRA Équipe de l’Ours FRA G. Boursin FRA Georges BoursinFRA Jean Nadeauhttp://www.24h-en-piste.com/fr/Histoire.php#1934 24h en Piste www.24h-en-piste.com 2022-05-28 Amilcar C6/4Spéciale Martin Amilcar 1080cc S4 Englebert 143 14 radiator(~3 hr) DNF >3.0 ** 7 FRA R. Sommer(private entrant) FRA Raymond SommerFRA Dr Pierre Félix Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 Monza-LM Alfa Romeo 2.4L S8supercharged Dunlop 187 [B] 14 engine (2 hr)Sources:Spurring 2017, p.176https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Le_Mans-1934-06-17.html Le Mans 24 Hours 1934 - Racing Sports Cars www.racingsportscars.com 2022-05-28http://www.lemans-history.com/provas.php?ano=1934 Le Mans History www.lemans-history.com 2022-05-28http://www.wsrp.cz/prewar1934.html#5 World Sports Racing Prototypes www.wsrp.cz 2022-05-28 http://www.formula2.net/1934.htm Formula 2 www.formula2.net 2022-05-28 2017-07-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20170704235823/http://www.formula2.net/1934.htm dead Note *: [B]= car also entered in the 1933-34 Biennial Cup. Note **: equivalent class for supercharging, with x1.4 modifier to engine capacity.Spurring 2017, p.120 Did not start Pos Class No Team Drivers Chassis Engine Reason DNS >3.0 ** 1 ROU N. von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (private entrant) ROU Prince Nicholas of RomaniaUSA/GBR Whitney Straight Duesenberg Model SJ Duesenberg 7.0L S8supercharged Engine DNA >3.0 ** 8 FRA P. Félix(private entrant) FRA Dr Pierre Félix Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 Monza-LM Alfa Romeo 2.3L S8supercharged Did not arrive DNA >3.0 ** 10 FRA P. Louis-Dreyfus(private entrant) FRA "Heldé" (Pierre Louis-Dreyfus) Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 Monza-LM Alfa Romeo 2.3L S8supercharged Did not arrive DNA >3.0 ** 11 FRA Équipe Braillard FRA Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 Monza-LM Alfa Romeo 2.3L S8supercharged Did not arrive DNA >3.0 ** 12 FRA Équipe Braillard FRA Bugatti Type 55 Bugatti 2.3L S8supercharged Did not arrive DNA 2.0 19 FRA O. Siko(private entrant) FRA Odette Siko Alfa Romeo 6C-1750 SS Alfa Romeo 1750cc S6 Did not arrive 1934 Index of Performance Pos 1933-34Biennial Cup Class No. Car number Team Drivers Chassis IndexResult 1 1st 1.5 36 GBR Riley (Coventry) Ltd GBR Kenneth PeacockGBR Alex “Bill” van der Becke Riley Nine Brooklands 1.370 2 - 1.5 37 GBR Riley (Coventry) Ltd GBR Sammy NewsomeGBR Edgar Maclure Riley Nine Imp 1.368 3 - 1.5 27 GBR Riley (Coventry) Ltd FRA Jean SébilleauFRA Georges Delaroche Riley 12/6 MPH Racing 1.294 4 - 1.5 28 GBR Riley (Coventry) Ltd GBR Freddie DixonGBR Cyril Paul Riley 12/6 MPH Racing 1.284 5 - 1.5 34 GBR R. Eccles(private entrant) GBR Roy EcclesGBR Charlie Martin MG K3 Magnette 1.264 6 2nd 1.5 26 GBR Arthur W. Fox GBR Brian Lewis, Baron EssendonGBR Johnny Hindmarsh Singer Nine Le Mans 1½ Litre 1.255 7 3rd 1.5 25 GBR F. S. Barnes(private entrant) GBR F. Stanley BarnesGBR Alf Langley Singer Nine Le Mans 1½ Litre 1.239 8 - 1.0 52 FRA A.-C. Rose-Itier(private entrant) FRA Anne-Cécile Rose-ItierFRA Charles Duruy MG PA Midget 1.234 9 - 1.5 39 FRA J. Trévoux(private entrant) FRA Jean TrévouxFRA René Carriére Riley Nine Imp 1.220 10 - 1.5 20 GBR “A. Vincent” (R.E. Tongue)(private entrant) GBR Reggie TongueGBR Maurice Faulkner Aston Martin 1½ Le Mans 1.211 Note: A score of 1.00 means meeting the minimum distance for the car, and a higher score is exceeding the nominal target distance. Only the top-10 finishers are listed Class Winners Class Winning car Winning drivers 3 to 8-litre #9 Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 MM-LM Chinetti / Étancelin 2 to 3-litre #4 Bugatti Type 44 Mahé / Desvignes 1500 to 2000cc no finishers 1000 to 1500cc #27 Riley 12/6 MPH Racing Sébilleau / Delaroche * Up to 1000cc #48 Singer Nine Le Mans Blake / BakerNote *: setting a new class distance record. Statistics Fastest Lap – P. Étancelin, #9 Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 MM-LM – 5:41.0secs; 142.44 km/h on Winning Distance – 2866.94 km on Winner’s Average Speed – 120.29 km/h on References Citations 30em Bibliography Bernard, Davoine, Holtz & Holtz (2023) 100 Years of Legends Sherborne, Dorset: Evro Publishing 978-1-910505-75-5 Clarke, R.M. - editor (1998) Le Mans ‘The Bentley & Alfa Years 1923-1939’ Cobham, Surrey: Brooklands Books 1-85520-465-7 Clausager, Anders (1982) Le Mans London: Arthur Barker Ltd 0-213-16846-4 Laban, Brian (2001) Le Mans 24 Hours London: Virgin Books 1-85227-971-0 Spurring, Quentin (2017) Le Mans 1930-39 Sherbourne, Dorset: Evro Publishing 978-1-91050-513-7 Williams, Richard (2023) 24 Hours – 100 Years of Le Mans London: Simon & Schuster 978-1-3985-1722-6 External links Racing Sports Cars – Le Mans 24 Hours 1934 entries, results, technical detail. Retrieved 28 May 2022 Le Mans History – entries, results incl. photos, hourly positions. Retrieved 28 May 2022 World Sports Racing Prototypes – results, reserve entries & chassis numbers. Retrieved 28 May 2022 Motorsport Magazine archive – race review. Retrieved 14 Sep 2026 24h en Piste – results, chassis numbers, driver photos & hourly positions (in French). Retrieved 28 May 2022 Radio Le Mans – Race article and review by Charles Dressing. Retrieved 28 May 2022 Unique Cars & Parts – results & reserve entries. Retrieved 28 May 2022 Formula 2 – Le Mans results & reserve entries. Retrieved 28 May 2022 Category:24 Hours of Le Mans races Le Mans Category:1934 in French motorsport Category:June 1934 sports events in Europe