The first Le Mans 24 Hours took place 100 years ago this month on 26-27 May 1923. It had been dreamt up by Emile Coquille, a French importer of Rudge-Whitworth bicycles and wheels, George Durand of the ACO and Charles Faroux, the editor of a weekly motoring magazine. Initially it was envisaged to be an eight-hour race – four in daylight, four at night, but Durand suggested a full 24 hours. What could be a better proof of reliability and endurance?
That first event drew 33 starters from 17 manufacturers, all hoping to make their mark on history, yet now
