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Written by:
Marshall Pruett
06/12/2008 - 07:31 AM
Le Mans, France
Paul Frère won once in 1960 while diving a Ferrari 260. (Photo: motorsportblog.it) » More Photos
With an absolutely stunning Le Mans 24 Hours ready to take place on Saturday, SPEEDtv.com, Radio Le Mans, and two winners of the 24 hour classic, David Brabham and Hans Stuck, sat down to debate the greatest 24 overall winners of the event from its beginnings in 1923.
We chose to stick with outright winners as with the advent of multiple classes, the list could easily comprise a hundred or more drivers.
We'll count down the Top 24 through the end of the week, with the top-5 revealed Sunday morning, just prior to the conclusion of the 2008 edition race.
Rank: 24
Driver: Paul Frere
Notable Le Mans 24 Hour Accomplishments: 1 time winner. Ferrari 250, 1960.
Thoughts: Frere, a winner of the 1960 Le Mans race piloting a Ferrari 250 with teammate Olivier Gendebien, also logged eleven formula One starts between 1952 and 1956, finishing 7th in points in '56 while driving for Ferrari. A noted journalist, the French-native spent the majority of his life in Belgium, gaining international acclaim as a writer and contributor to a number of prominent automotive magazines.
Three time winner Hurley Haywood was successful in 1977, 1983, and 1994. (Photo: Daytonainternationalspeedway.com) » More Photos
Rank: 23
Driver: Hurley Haywood
Notable Le Mans 24 Hour Accomplishments: 3 time winner. Porsche 936, 1977, Porsche 956, 1983, Dauer 962, 1994.
Thoughts: One of America's most distinguished and tenured sportscar aces, Haywood's Le Mans success compliments his achievements in the IMSA GTP series and his five overall victories at the Daytona 24 Hours. The enduring face of Brumos Porsche, Haywood's association with the Floridian Porsche dealer continues today in Grand-Am racing.
Tazio Nuvolari drove a Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 to victory in 1933. (Photo: nivola.org) » More Photos
Rank: 22
Driver: Tazio Nuvolari
Notable Le Mans 24 Hour Accomplishments: 1 time winner. Alfa Romeo 8C 2300, 1933.
Thoughts: A legend of Formula One, the Italian Nuvolari established his winning association with Italian manufacturers driving for Alfa Romeo to secure a hard fought victory at Le Mans in 1993. Known for his visibly emotional driving style, Tazio ranks amongst the all-time greats in motorsports; his Le Mans success further cemented his place amongst the motoring gods.
Carroll Shelby is now known for building cars, but Shelby took a Aston Martin DBR1 to a Le Mans victory in 1959. (Photo: thegarageblog.com) » More Photos
Rank: 21
Driver: Carroll Shelby
Notable Le Mans 24 Hour Accomplishments: 1 time winner. Aston Martin DBR1, 1959.
Thoughts: Famous for his self-branded line of Ford-powered coupes, Carroll Shelby, originally a chicken farmer hailing from Texas, achieved what's considered to be his greatest win--the 1959 Le Mans 24 Hours. Driving for Aston Martin, images of the iconic British Racing Green DBR1 crossing the start/finish line are still amongst the most recognized photos of the 24 hour event.
Woolf Barnato is a three time winner. First in a Bentley 4½ Litre in 1928, then in the Bentley Speed Six in 1929 and 1930. (Photo: viewimages.com) » More Photos
Rank: 20
Driver: Woolf Barnato
Notable Le Mans 24 Hour Accomplishments: 3 time winner. Bentley 4½ Litre, 1928, Bentley Speed Six, 1929 & 1930.
Thoughts: Brit Woolf Barnato, a financier and major stakeholder in Aston Martin, earned his stripes as a Le Mans legend by winning three successive events as a member of the famed 'Bentley Boys' driving team. Using their Le Mans innovations to improve their road cars, Barnato pushed the boundaries of Bentley's designs through motorsports--an trend that continues with the marque today.
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