(Based on original black & white photograph. Photographer unknown.)

Le Mans 1955 of the Ferrari team lined up before start of the famous 24 hours race.  Cars visible are the 750 Monza of Helde and Lucas, the three factory 121s of Maglioli/Hill, Castellotti/Marzotto and Trintignant/Schell - all of which retired!  Not a single Ferrari finished the race.

The event was won by Hawthorn and Bueb in a Jaguar D Type but the race was blighted by the appalling accident to Pierre Levegh's Mercedes which went into the packed crowds right opposite the pits, killing over 80. It was the worst accident in motor racing history and came close to seeing the sport banned altogether in many countries (it still is in Switzerland).

The photo shows the old pits building which dated from the 1930s. After the accident this was demolished and a new one built (itself demolished in the 1990s).

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