The Belgians at Le Mans
The history of the Belgians in the world’s greatest endurance race dates back to 1923, the year of its first edition. 101 drivers and 296 participations brought about 12 overall victories, 24 podium places, 48 class victories and one Ladies Trophy. A rich harvest, for sure! Swaters, Beurlys, Bianchi, Frère, Gendebien, Mairesse, Rouselle and Dubois played a leading role in the first yellow armada. The second wave were just as impressive. We recall such drivers as Ickx, Boutsen, Dieudonné, van de Poele, Duez, De Drijver, Witmeur, Libert, “Christine”, Regout and many others.
In collaboration with the Belgian section of the L’Automobile Club de l’Ouest Autoworld will be showcasing some of the cars with which the Belgians performed ‘in the Spotlight’. We can presently confirm the presence of the following cars: Peugeot 905, Argo-Porsche, a Porsche 934, a Shelby 350GT, Simca Abarth 1300, Ford GT40, Tank Chenard & Walker, Mazda 787 B Le Mans 1991 (up until now the only Japanese car that has ever won the 24 Hours of Le Mans), Inaltera-Rondeau, Rondeau « Belga« , Toyota 94C-V, DB HBR5 , and even a Renault 4 CV !
Special attention will also be given for the renowned Belgian driver Lucien Bianchi on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his victory with the Ford GT40 in Le Mans 1968, teamed up with Pedro Rodriguez.
In addition, an exhibition of 1/43 scale model cars with which the Belgians competed so brilliantly at Le Mans will also be on hand to admire.
The exhibition “The Belgians at Le Mans” coincides with the presentation of the book written by Lucien Beckers “101 Belgians – Les Belges aux 24 Heures du Mans” to be published by Testacoda in May 2018.
Good to know:
- Autoworld – Esplanade du Cinquantenaire – 1000 Brussels
- Open daily – even on Monday – from 10.00hrs until 17.00hrs (Saturday and Sunday until 18.00hrs)
- Entrance fee to the museum: € 10/ adult – € 8/ senior – € 7/ student – € 4/child from 6-12 years – free for child younger than 6 years
