1958 Le Mans 24 hrs
24 Heures du Mans |
||||
Le Mans |
June 21-22, 1958 |
|||
Carel Godin de Beaufort |
w/Linge (Bunker) |
|||
Porsche RS550 (0145) |
No: 32 |
Q: |
R: 5 (2) |
C: S15 |
Carel again competed in the 1.5-litre class at Le Mans. His opponents where two more Porsches, a Lotus and two Alfa Romeo Giuliettas. Carel raced with Linge as co-driver in a large field of 56 contenders.
As both Ecurie Ecosse Jaguars retired within the first hour, the race became a works Ferrari - Aston Martin battle as was to be expected. There was drama as Jean Brussin (nicknamed 'Mary') lost control of his privately entered Jaguar, he crashed, the car turned over and the driver was killed. Kessler, driving a Testa Rossa, hit the wreckage and got severely injured.
At the same time the Porsches took advantage of their performance in the wet against larger cars and moved up the field. The Aston Martins had fallen back or retired and by midnight the battle was on between the Ferrari of Hill/Gendebien and the Jaguar of Hamilton/Bueb. When the rain stopped during the night the Ferrari took a comfortable lead and eventually took victory. During the closing stages of the race the battle for second place between the Whitehead brothers’ big Aston Martin and the small works Porsche of Behra/Herrmann was decided in favour of the former. In the end only 17 cars finished a very tough race and De Beaufort/Linge took a well deserved fifth place overall and a second place in class.
