Thursday 17th January 2013

Time For Tea? Hawthorn laps Le Mans

Two classic views of La Sarthe from very different eras; both worth celebrating with a brew

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This Time For Tea? started out with the onboard qualifying lap of Le Mans aboard the Porsche 936/77 Spyder that eventually won the 1977 race with Jacky Ickx, Jurgen Barth and Hurley Haywood taking turns at the wheel. Mighty impressive it is too, especially the jink between two trundling (actually, probably not trundling at all) 911s mid-way down the run to Mulsanne at, it’s safe to assume, 200mph or so. '70s Le Mans at its best, and hugely evocative view of a vintage era in the race’s history.

Porsche, Le Mans, the 1970s - good times

But, unashamed Porsche fans that we are, we couldn’t help notice there’s been quite a lot of Stuttgart metal on these pages. Even by our standards. Jaguar’s had quite a presence recently too but, as is the way of things, one YouTube video led to another and this onboard of Mike Hawthorn in a D-Type in 1956 really stood out - and for more than the comedy value of him lapping the track before closure for the race and having to dodge cyclists and all manner of other slow-moving traffic.

It’s bittersweet of course, this video filmed after the horrific crash the previous year – mentioned in the commentary – in which Hawthorn has, rightly or wrongly, forever been implicated. History records 1955 as a victory for him, Ivor Bueb and Jaguar but there was, of course, more to it than that. Set those darker overtones to one side though and you have a fascinating glimpse of old-school Le Mans, complete with tree-lined avenues, junctions rather than corners, peasants weaving about on bicycles and Hawthorn’s engagingly laconic commentary, recorded with a Jerry-rigged mic and camera set-up. Anyone can do the same with a GoPro these days but back in the 50s onboard filming was clearly a bit more involved. Grim associations with tragedy do temper the desire to don the rose tints somewhat but the contrast between this, the Le Mans of the 70s and the modern track do show how the event has evolved.

 

 

 

[GranCab]

Is that the Mk. 1 GoPro they have attached to Hawthorn's Jag ?

[Oddball RS]

How its changed since 1956, it must have been a hell of a lot tougher event back then.

[OdramaSwimLaden]

Hawthorns lap wasn't on the closed circuit!!

Cars and cyclists oncoming, "traffic in the way, typical French"

[enroz]

OdramaSwimLaden said:

Hawthorns lap wasn't on the closed circuit!!

Cars and cyclists oncoming, "traffic in the way, typical French"

Some times it's worth reading the bits before the video.

[vincegail]

(In Hyacinth Bucket's voice) "Mind the cyclists, Mike!"

[artdealer]

Both fabulous. Thanks for posting. Loved the weaving around cyclists and pedestrians I think I spotted a horse on the RHS towards the end of the Hawthorn lap.

[coogy]

I never really appreciated back in the early days, that they used the road outside Maison Blanche as part of the circuit, blimey!

[Davey S2]

If you like pictures like this (and if you don't you're clearly on the wrong site) have a look at the historic motorsport pictures in the klementaski collection here

http://www.klemcoll.com/Default.aspx

Some brilliant stuff.

[Amizade]

The 936/77 footage on the Mulsanne was incredible - the closing speed with the 911's looked scary. I remember talking with an ex-Chamberlain driver about the Mulsanne and he always did the sunrise stint - he said the in the fog he used to count in his head for the braking point into the Mulsanne corner !

[nismo48]

Excellent stuff..!!
Lovely induction noise from the Porsche as it accelerates down Mulsanne..

[davepoth]

Oddball RS said:

How its changed since 1956, it must have been a hell of a lot tougher event back then.

The lumps and bumps in the track are a bit mad, and it's so much quicker too. 180 in that Jag must have been interesting.

[Fast Eddie]

I'm struck by just how clear the speech is on the Hawthorn film. Also by the fact that he dropped to 1st gear on a couple of corners.
My first trip to the 24 hours was 1985 when Rothmans Porsche with Bell/Ickx, Martini Lancia and Bob Tullius was out in the Jaguar XJR 5.
My mate and I slept in our Ford Capri 1.6 GL. Yes you heard me, it was a GL.
I cannot believe it was all those years ago.

[timbo48]

Was Hawthorn getting his commentary re Indianapolis and Arnage mixed up, must admit it confused me slightly.

At least he wasn't travelling at almost race speed unlike the Alfas practicing for the Targa in another video on here, not knowing what was around the next bend as the roads weren't shut!

[Dan Trent]

timbo48 said:

At least he wasn't travelling at almost race speed unlike the Alfas practicing for the Targa in another video on here, not knowing what was around the next bend as the roads weren't shut!

Please share!

Dan

[Amirhussain]

Dan Trent said:

timbo48 said:

At least he wasn't travelling at almost race speed unlike the Alfas practicing for the Targa in another video on here, not knowing what was around the next bend as the roads weren't shut!

Please share!

Dan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YX6xQlKgE0 (?)

[timbo48]

This one.........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF_oF-ZMhD0

[Automental]

Fabulous stuff. It looks so different, but the place still has such a sense of nostalgia.

[Active75]

[url]



My Dad and Gerry Ruddock in their Frazer Nash at Le Mans in 1952. They finished 10th.

Last picture is Le Mans 1954 start of the Mulsanne Straight in the rebodied Nash. They crashed out in the wet just before Indianapolis due to hub failure when in 7th place

[Dan Trent]

Just speechless, that's amazing! Thanks for sharing.

And also Timbo for the link; will take a look.

Dan

[Active75]

Dads unusual crash helmet was "borrowed" from an Italian Soldier in the Desert war of 1942

Here he is getting a flyer after the running start!