40èmes Grand Prix d`Endurance les 24 Heures du Mans 1972


Circuit Permanenthe de la Sarthe
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Le Mans 1938
Le Mans
Le Mans 1962

Date: June 10th and 11th, 1972


Conditions: Intermittent rain
Starters: 55
Track Length: 13,640 metres
Distance: 4691.343 km
Fastest Lap: Gijs van Lennep, Lola T280, 3:46.9 = 216.413 km/h
Pole Position: Francois Cevert, F, Matra-Simca MS670, 3:42.02 = 220.990 km/h
Average Speed: 195.472 km/h
Race Notes: World Sportscar Championship
Although the 24 Hours of Le Mans was part of the World Sportscar Championship for most of its existence, it has regularly had rules which differed from those used in other series, partially due to the length of the event. Some rules are for safety reasons, while others are for the purposes of competition.

For many decades, cars were required to run at least an hour into the race before they were allowed to refill fluids for the car, such as oil or coolant, with the exception of fuel. This was an attempt by the ACO to help increase efficiency and reliability. Cars which could not last the first hour without having to replace lost fluids were disqualified.

Another rule that is unique to Le Mans is a requirement for cars to be shut off while they are being refueled in the pits. Based not only the notion that it is safer and less of a fire hazard to do so, this also allows for another test of reliability, due to the fact that cars have to test their ability to restart many times under race conditions. Another element of this rule is that mechanics are not allowed to work on the car or its tires while it is being refueled, which has led teams to adapt innovative ways in which to decrease the time of these lengthy pit stops. As an exception to this rule, drivers are allowed to get out of the car and be replaced by another driver during refueling.
CLASS WINNERS
Index of Thermal Efficiency J-C. Andruet / C. Ballot-Léna Ferrari 365 GTB
Sportscars up to 3000cc Henri Pescarolo / Graham Hill Matra Simca 670
Sportscars up to 2000cc René Ligonnet / Barrie Smith Lola T290 - Cosworth
GTS over 5000cc Dave Heinz / Bob Johnson Chevrolet Corvette
GTS up to 5000cc J-C. Andruet / C. Ballot-Léna Ferrari 365 GTB
GTS up to 2500cc M. Keyser / J. Barth / S. Garant Porsche 911 S
Touring Special Gerry Birrell / Claude Bourgoignie Ford Capri
Please Note: You can sort this listing by simply clicking on the column heading
Team / Entrant
Car - Engine
Driver, Nationality
1
1
15
Equipe Matra-Simca Shell, F
Matra-Simca MS670
Henri Pescarolo, F
Graham Hill, GB
DNS Bernard Fiorentino, F
2993
V12
Goodyear
S
3000
344
4691.343
-
2
2
14
Equipe Matra-Simca Shell, F
Matrs-Simca MS670
Francois Cevert, F
Howden Ganley, NZ
DNS Bernard Fiorentino, F
2993
V12
Goodyear
S
3000
334
4554.933
-
3
3
60
Siffert ATE Racing, D
Porsche 908/01 LH Coupé
Reinhold Jöst, D
Michel Weber, D
Mario Casoni, I
2997
F8
-
S
3000
325
4428.904
-
4
4
18
Autodelta SpA, I
Alfa Romeo Tipo 33TT3
Andrea de Adamich, I
Nino Vaccarella, I
DNS Toine Hezemans, NL
DNS Helmut Marko, A
DNS Teodoro Zeccoli, I
2993
V8
Goodyear
S
3000
307
4179.632
-
5
5
39
Charles Pozzi, F
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Claude Ballot-Léna, F
Jean-Claude Andruet, F
DNS Francois Migault, F
4390
V12
-
GTS
306
4162.660
-
6
6
74
North American Racing Team, USA
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Sam Posey, USA
Tony Adamowicz, USA
4390
V12
-
GTS
304
4137.733
-
7
7
34
Scuderia Filipinetti, CH
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Mike Parkes, GB
Jean-Louis Lafosse, F
Jean-Jacques Cochet, CH
4390
V12
-
GTS
302
4110.051
-
8
8
36
Ecurie Francorchamps, B
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Derek Bell, GB
Teddy Pilette, B
Richard Bond, GB
4390
V12
-
GTS
301
4109.864
-
9
9
38
North American Racing Team, USA
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Jean-Pierre Jarier, F
Claude Buchet, F
DNS Bob Grossmann, USA
DNS Jean-Pierre Laffeach, F
4390
V12
-
GTS
297
4039.443
-
10
10
54
Ford Deutschland, D
Ford Capri 2600 RS
Gerry Birrell, GB
Claude Bourgoignie, B
2940
V6
-
TS
292
3977.515
-
11
11
52
Ford Deutschland, D
Ford Capri 2600 RS
Dieter Glemser, D
Alex Soler-Roig, E
2940
V6
-
TS
289
3936.610
-
12
12
68
Duckham's Oil Motor Racing, GB
Duckham's LM - Ford Cosworth DFV
Alain de Cadenet, GB
Chris Craft, GB
2993
V8
-
S
3000
288
3928.298
Constructed of
Brabham F1-Parts
13
13
41
Louis Meznarie, F
Porsche 911 S
Sylvain Garant, F
Jürgen Barth, D
Michael Keyser, USA
2466
F6
-
GTS
285
3883.672
-
14
14
27
René Ligonnet - Kodak, F
Lola T290 - Ford Cosworth FVC
René Ligonnet, F
Barrie Smith, GB
1790
L4
-
S
2000
284
3864.588
-
15
15
4
North American Racing Team, USA
Chevrolet Corvette ZL 1
Dave Heinz, USA
Robert R. 'Bob' Johnson, USA
6998
V8
Goodyear
GTS
284
3863.898
-
16
16
32
Claude Dubois, B
De Tomaso Pantera - Ford
Jean-Marie Jacquemin, B
Yves Deprez, B
DNS Claude Dubois, B
5763
V8
-
GTS
282
3845.432
-
17
17
46
North American Racing Team, USA
Ferrari Dino 246 GT
Jean-Pierre Laffeach, F
Gilles Doncieux, F
DNS Yves Forrester, F
2418
V6
-
GTS
265
3602.988
-
18
18
24
Wicky Racing Team, CH
Porsche 907
Peter Mattli, CH
Hervé Bayard, F
Walter Brun, CH
DNS Max Cohen-Olivar, MOR
1981
F6
-
S
2000
252
3431.618
-
19
NC
67
Christian Poirot, F
Porsche 908/02
Christian Poirot, F
Philippe Farjon, F
2997
F8
-
S
3000
206
-
20
DNF
16
Equipe Matra-Simca Shell, F
Matra-Simca MS660C
Jean-Pierre Jabouille, F
David Hobbs, GB
DNS Francois Cevert, F
DNS Bernard Fiorentino, F
DNS Chris Amon, NZ
2993
V12
Goodyear
S
3000
278
24h
Gearbox
21
DNF
5
Escuderia Montjuich, E
Porsche 908/03
Juan Fernandez, E
Francesco Torredemer, E
Eugenio Baturone, E
2997
F8
-
S
3000
278
24h
Accident,
wheel bearing
22
DNF
19
Autodelta SpA, I
Alfa Romeo Tipo 33TT3
Rolf Stommelen, D
Giovanni 'Nanni' Galli, I
DNS Toine Hezemans, NL
DNS Peter Revson, USA
2993
V8
Goodyear
S
3000
263
19h
Gearbox
23
DNF
6
Hans-Dieter Weigel, D
Porsche 908/02
Hans-Dieter Weigel, D
Helmut Krause, D
2997
F8
-
S
3000
244
20h
Accident
24
DNF
29
Greder Racing Team, F
Chevrolet Corvette
Henri Greder, F
"Mari-Claude Beaumont" (Marie-Claude Charmasson), F
DNS Alain Cudini, F
DNS Christine Beckers, B
6998
V8
-
GTS
+5000
235
21h
Accident
25
DNF
17
Autodelta SpA, I
Alfa Romeo Tipo 33TT3
Vic Elford, GB
Dr. Helmut Marko, A
DNS Rolf Stommelen, D
DNS Teodoro Zeccoli, I
DNS Toine Hezemans, NL
2993
V8
Goodyear
S
3000
232
20h
Clutch
26
DNF
57
North American Racing Team, USA
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Luigi Chinetti Jr, USA
Masten Gregory, USA
4390
V12
-
GTS
5000
226
24h
Cylinder head
joint
27
DNF
8
Ecurie Bonnier Switzerland, CH
Lola T280 - Cosworth DFV
Joakim 'Jo' Bonnier, S*
Gérard Larrousse, F
Gijs van Lennep, NL
DNS Reine Wisell, S
2993
V8
Goodyear
S
3000
213
18h
*Fatal collision
with #35
28
DNF
42
Claude Haldi, CH
Porsche 911 S
Claude Haldi, CH
Paul Keller, CH
"Gedehem" (Gérard Darton-Merlin), F
2492
F6
-
GTS
2500
208
18h
Cylinder head
gasket
29
DNF
35
Scuderia Filipinetti, CH
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Bernard Cheneviére, CH
Florian Vetsch, CH
Gérard Pillon, CH
4390
V12
-
GTS
5000
204
18h
Collision
30
DNF
22
Automobiles Ligier, F
Ligier JS2 - Maserati
Pierre Maublanc, F
Jacques Laffite, F
DNS Jean-Pierre Paoli, F
2991
V6
-
S
3000
195
24h
Engine
31
DNF
71
Ecurie Léopard, F
Chevrolet Corvette
Jean-Claude Aubriet, F
"Depnic" (Jean-Claude Depince), F
DNS "Sylvain", F
DNS Jean-Paul Rouget, F
6998
V8
-
GTS
+5000
188
19h
Cylinder heat
joint
32
DNF
65
"Novestille", F
Porsche 910
Louis Cosson, F
Jean-Louis Ravenel, F
2379
F6
-
S
3000
188
16h
Wheel bearing
33
DNF
56
Claude Laurent, F
Ligier JS2 - Maserati
Claude Laurent, F
Martial Delalande, F
Jacques Marché, F
DNS Guy Ligier, F
DNS Jean-Francois Piot, F
2991
V6
-
S
3000
186
19h
Oil pressure
34
DNF
45
Raymond Touroul, F
Porsche 911 S
"Lee Banner" (Fernand T. Sarapoulos), GR
Dominique Bardini, I
DNS Raymond Touroul, F
2499
F6
-
GTS
2500
183
16h
Engine
35
DNF
53
Ford Deutschland, D
Ford Capri 2600 RS
Jochen Mass, D
Hans-Joachim Stuck Jr, D
2940
V6
-
TS
152
14h
Oil pump
36
DNF
76
Jean Egreteaud, F
Porsche 908/02
Jean-Claude Lagniez, F
Raymond Touroul, F
2997
F8
-
S
3000
83
8h
Out of fuel
37
DNF
72
John Greenwood Racing, USA
Chevrolet Corvette
Bernard Darniche, F
Alain Cudini, F
John Greenwood, USA
6998
V8
-
GTS
5000
82
9h
Cylinder head
joint
38
DNF
23
Brian Robinson, GB
Chevron B21 - Ford Cosworth FVC
Brian Robinson, GB
Jean Rondeau, F
DNS Stan Matthews, GB
1790
L4
-
S
2000
76
10h
Cylinder head
joint
39
DNF
49
Team Schnitzer - Motul, D
BMW 2800 CS
Hans Heyer, D
René Herzog, CH
DNS Herbert Müller, CH
2990
L6
-
TS
70
7h
Oil pressure
40
DNF
44
Jean Sage / Gelo Racing Team, F/D
Porsche 911 S
Jean Sage, F
Georg Loos, D
Franz Pesch, D
DNS Pierre Greub, CH
DNS Jean-Claude Favre, F
DNS Jean-Pierre Hanrioud, F
2492
F6
-
GTS
2500
64
5h
Engine
41
DNF
37
Maranello Concessionaires, GB
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Peter Westbury, GB
John Hine, GB
DNS Mark Konig, GB
4390
V12
-
GTS
5000
72
9h
Piston
42
DNF
28
John Greenwood Racing, USA
Chevrolet Corvette
John Greenwood, USA
Dick Smothers, USA
DNS Alain Cudini, F
6998
V8
-
GTS
+5000
53
10h
Piston
43
DNF
80
Porsche Kremer Racing Team, D
Porsche 911 S
John Fitzpatrick, GB
Erwin Kremer, D
DNS Juan-Carlos Bolanos, MEX
2466
F6
-
GTS
2500
39
5h
Crankshaft
44
DNF
79
Jean-Pierre Gaban, B
Porsche 911 S
Hermes Delbar, B
Roger van der Schrick, B
DNS Jean-Pierre Gaban, B
DNS Willy Braillard, B
DNS Teddy Pilette, B
2341
F6
-
GTS
2500
36
4h
Gearbox
45
DNF
30
Escuderia Montjuich, E
De Tomaso Pantera - Ford
José Juncadella, E
Fernando de Baviera, E
DNS Mike Parkes, GB
DNS Herbert Müller, CH
5763
V8
-
GTS
5000
36
9h
Cylinder head
gasket
46
DNF
31
Escuderia Montjuich, E
De Tomaso Pantera - Ford
Herbert Müller, CH
Cox Kocher, CH
5763
V8
-
GTS
5000
36
10h
Cylinder head
gasket
47
DNF
69
Michel Dupont, CH
Chevron B19/21 - Ford Cosworth FVC
Michel Dupont, CH
Jean-Paul Bodin, F
DNS Paul Blancpain, CH
1790
L4
-
S
2000
29
5h
Gearbox
48
DNF
84
Shark Team, F
Ford Capris 2600 RS
Jean-Claude Guérie, F
Jean-Pierre Rouget, F
DNS Cyril Grandet, F
2933
V6
-
TS
26
4h
Oil pressure
49
DNF
7
Ecurie Bonnier Switzerland, CH
Lola T280 - Ford Cosworth DFV
Baron Hughes de Fierlandt, B
Prince Jorge de Bagration (-de Moukhrani), E
Mario Araujo Cabral, P
DNS? Jo Bonnier, S
DNS? Gérard Larrousse, F
2993
V8
-
S
3000
26
7h
Spun off / clutch
50
DNF
40
René Mazzia, F
Porsche 911 S
Pierre Mauroy, F
Marcel Mignot, F
DNS Jürgen Barth, D
DNS René Mazzia, F
2498
F6
-
GTS
2500
27
4h
Crankshaft
51
DNF
75
Charles Pozzi, F
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Francois Migault, F
Daniel Rouveyran, F
DNS Jean-Claude Andruet, F
4390
V12
-
GTS
5000
22
8h
Clutch
52
DNF
58
Bosch Racing Team, A
Porsche 908/02
Otto Stuppacher, A
Walter Roser, A (DND)
2997
F8
-
P
3000
11
2h
Accident
53
DNF
21
Automobiles Ligier, F
Ligier JS2 - Maserati
Guy Ligier, F
Jean-Francois Piot, F (DND)
DNS Jean-Pierre Paoli, F
2991
V6
-
S
3000
7
3h
Valves
54
DNF
33
Société Franco-Brittanic, F
De Tomaso Pantera - Ford
Guy Chasseuil, F
Jean Vinatier, F (DND)
DNS Michel Martin, F
DNS Jean-Pierre Cassegrain, F
5763
V8
-
GT
+5000
3
2h
Cylinder head
gasket
55
DNF
12
Equipe Matra-Simca Shell, F
Matra-Simca MS670
Jean-Pierre Beltoise, F
Chris Amon, NZ (DND)
DNS Bernard Fiorentino, F
2993
V12
Goodyear
S
3000
2
1h
Engine
56
DNS
78
Jean Sage / Gelo Racing Team, F/D
Porsche 911 S
Jean Sage, F
Pierre Greub, CH
Georg Loos, D
Franz Pesch, D
-
F6
-
GTS
-
-
57
DNS
26
Veglia GRAC Racing, F
GRAC MT16 - Ford Cosworth FVC
Lionel Noghés, MC
"Cyprien" (Christian Mons), F
Alain Finkelstein, F
-
L4
-
S
2000
-
Accident in
practice
58
DNS
61
Wicky Racing Team, CH
Porsche 908/02
André Wicky, CH
Walter Brun, CH
Max Cohen-Olivar, MOR
2997
F8
-
S
3000
-
Wheel
59
DNS
85
Société Darnval, F
Taydec Mk 3 (Mk 2?) - Ford Cosworth
Jean-Daniel Jakubowski
Peter Schweitzer, CH
-
L4
-
S
2000
-
-
60
DNQ
64
Scuderia Filipinetti, CH
Lola T290 - Ford Cosworth DFV
Jean-Jacques Cochet, CH
Gérard Pillon, CH
Dominique Martin, CH
2993
V8
-
S
3000
-
-
61
DNQ
43
Jean Mesange, F
Porsche 911 S
Jean Mesange, F
"Gedehem" (Gérard Darton-Merlin), F
Pierre Boitier, F
Paul Keller, CH
-
F6
-
GTS
-
-
62
DNQ
47
Motor Racing Facilities Ltd, GB
Datsun 240 Z
Robert Grant, GB
Serge Trosch, B
Martin Birrane, GB
-
-
-
GTS
-
-
63
DNQ
51
Wicky Racing Team, CH
Porsche 911 S
Jean-Pierre Aeschlimann, CH
Juan G. Diez, E
-
F6
-
GTS
-
-
64
DNQ
73
Scuderia Brescia Corse, I
De Tomaso Pantera - Ford
Enrico Pasolini, I
"Pooky" (Vincenzo Cazzago), I
Gianpiero Moretti, I
Mario Casoni, I
-
V8
-
GTS
-
-
65
DNQ
55
A.G.A.C.I., F
Citroën SM - Maserati
Guy Verrier, F
Gérard Foucault, F
Francois Monath, D
-
V6
-
TS
-
-
66
DNQ
82
Claude Buchet, F
Ford Capri 2600 RS
Claude Buchet, F
Joël Bonnemaison, F
2940
V6
-
TS
-
-
67
DNA
1
Ferrari SEFAC, I
Ferrari 312 PB
Jacky Ickx, B
Clay Regazzoni, CH
Arturo Merzario, CH
3000
V12
-
S
3000
-
Withdrawn
68
DNA
2
Ferrari SEFAC, I
Ferrari 312 PB
Brian Redman, GB
Sandro Munari, I
Artunro Merzario, I
3000
V12
-
3000
-
Withdrawn
69
DNA
-
Ferrari SEFAC, I
Ferrari 312 PB
Ronnie Peterson, S
Mario Andretti, I
Tim Schenken, AUS
3000
V12
-
3000
-
Withdrawn
70
DNA
-
Bellco Racing Team, J
Bellco R39B - Mitsubishi
Tomohiko Tsutsumi, J
Noritake Takahara, J
2000
L4
-
S
2000
-
-
71
DNA
-
Barclay's International Racing, GB
Lola T290 - Ford Cosworth
Guy Edwards, GB
John Burton, GB
2000
V8
-
S
2000
-
-
72
DNA
-
Escuderia Montjuich, E
Alfa Romeo Tipo 33TT3
-
-
2993
V8
-
S
3000
-
-
73
DNA
-
Zitro Racing, CH
Lola T280 - Ford Cosworth DFV
Dominique Martin, CH
-
2993
V8
-
S
3000
-
-
74
DNA
-
Automobiles Ligier, F
Ligier JS2 - Maserati
-
-
2991
V6
-
S
3000
-
-
75
DNA
-
Guy Edwards, GB
Lola T280 - Ford Cosworth DFV
-
-
2993
V8
-
S
3000
-
-
76
DNA
-
Gulf Research Racing Co, GB
Mirage M6 - Ford Cosworth DFV
Gijs van Lennep, NL
-
2993
V8
-
S
3000
-
-
77
DNA
-
Gulf Research Racing Co, GB
Mirage M6 - Ford Cosworth DFV
Derek Bell, GB
-
2993
V8
-
S
3000
-
-
78
DNA
-
Ecurie Bonnier Switzerland, CH
Lola T280 - Ford Cosworth DFV
Reine Wisell, S
Dominique Martin, CH
2993
V8
-
S
3000
-
-
79
DNA
-
Société Darnval, F
Darnval LM2 - Repco
Francois Migault, F
Rick Hurst, USA
3000
V8
-
S
3000
-
-
80
DNA
-
Autodelta SpA, I
Alfa Romeo Tipo 33TT3
Toine Hezemans, NL
Peter Revson, USA
2993
V8
-
S
3000
-
-
81
DNA
-
Ecurie Boonier - von Wendt, CH/D
Lola T280 - Ford Cosworth DFV
-
-
2993
V8
-
S
3000
-
-
82
DNA
-
North American Racing Team, USA
Ferrari 312 PB
Sam Posey, USA
Tony Adamowicz, USA
3000
V12
-
S
3000
-
-
83
DNA
75
Robert Buchet, F
Porsche 911 S
Guy Gentis, F
Jean-Paul Bodin, F
-
F6
-
GTS
-
-
84
DNA
76
Porsche Club Romand - Bonomelli, CH/I
Porsche 911 S
Ennio Bonomelli, I
Pino Pica, I
-
F6
-
GTS
-
-
85
DNA
48
AMG Ingenieurbüro, D
Mercedes Benz 300 SEL
Hans Heyer, D
Clementz Schickentanz, D
6300
V8
-
TS
-
-
86
DNA
81
Greder Racing Team, F
Opel Commodore GS
Henri Greder, F
Jean Ragnotti, F
-
L6
-
TS
-
-
87
DNA
24
Wicky Racing Team, CH
Porsche 907
Max Cohen-Olivar, MOR
André Wicky, CH
-
F6
-
S
2000
-
-
88
DNA
-
Wicky Racing Team, CH
BMW 2800 CS
-
-
2990
L6
-
TS
-
-
89
DNA
-
Claude Laurent, F
Citroën SM - Maserati
-
-
-
V6
-
TS
-
-
90
DNA
-
BMW Alpina, D
BMW 2800 CS
Dieter Quester, A
John Fitzpatrick, GB
-
L6
-
TS
-
-
91
DNA
-
Castrol Racing Team, D
BMW 2800 CS
Francois Mazet, F
Dieter Basche, D
-
L6
-
TS
-
-
92
DNA
-
Dana English
Chevrolet Corvette
-
-
-
V8
-
GTS
-
-
93
DNA
-
Claude Buchet, F
Chrysler Barracuda
Claude Buchet, F
"Ageres" (Jean-Paul Agére), F
-
V8
-
TS
-
-
94
DNA
-
Claude Dubois, B
De Tomaso Pantera - Ford
J.-M. Chailler, B
J.-M. Currien, B
-
V8
-
GTS
-
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Unique Cars and Parts USA - The Ultimate Classic Car Resource
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