1923day.year
The first 24 Hours of Le Mans is held in France. Run annually in June thereafter, it became the oldest endurance racing event in the world.
The inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race took place in 1923 in France, creating a legendary motorsport tradition.
The inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race was held on May 26-27, 1923, in the French town of Le Mans. Conceived by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, it tested the durability of cars and drivers over a full day. Sixteen teams participated, with only eight cars still running at the finish. Lorraine-Dietrich won the first race, covering 2,209 kilometers. The event introduced innovations in sports car design, fueling competition among manufacturers. Over the decades, the race became a global motorsport spectacle, combining speed, strategy, and engineering. The Le Mans format influenced other endurance events worldwide. Today, it remains the oldest active sports car endurance race and a pinnacle of racing prestige.
1923
24 Hours of Le Mans
endurance racing