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The 1954 24 Hours of Le Mans was a race for Sports Cars which took place on 12 and 13 June 1954, at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France. It was the 22nd 24 Hours of Le Mans and also the fourth race of the 1954 World Sportscar Championship.[1] The race was won by José Froilán González and Maurice Trintignant driving a Ferrari 375 Plus.
People viewed this race as a battle between brute force and science (per the July 1954 "Motor Sport" article[2]). In the high technology corner, with its sleek, aerodynamic bodywork was the new 3.4-litre Jaguar D-Type, and in the other corner was Ferrari's formidable 5.0-litre V12 375 Plus. Ranged in between was everyone else. The race was heavily affected by poor weather throughout and was a thriller right to the end, producing the closest finish for the race since 1933: less than 5km (half a lap).[3]
- ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours 1954 - Racing Sports Cars".
- ^ Clarke 1997, p.99: Motor Sport July 1954
- ^ Spurring 2011, p.183