1959 Le Mans 24 hrs
24 Heures du Mans |
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Le Mans |
June 20-21, 1959 |
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Ecurie Maarsbergen |
w/Heins |
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Porsche 718 RSK (027) |
No: 36 |
Q: 23 |
R: DNF |
C: S15 |
Carel took on the 24-hour challenge at Le Mans with co-driver Christian ‘Bino’ Heins from Brazil in a 718 RSK. They qualified 23rd and their opposition in class would be the works Porsches, the other private Porsches and three Lotus Elites. The race was again a battle between Ferrari and Aston Martin and in the end the Aston of Salvadori/Shelby took the flag in front of their team mates Trintignant/Frčre, making it an Aston 1-2. After all seven Porsches retired, the 1.5-litre class was an easy prey for Lotus. De Beaufort/Heins retired in the 15th hour with a broken crankshaft.
Perhaps the most important ‘result’ of this race was that in the pits during qualifying Carel met Arie Anssems just at the moment when his mechanic had deserted him. Arie was a mere visitor at Le Mans and offered his services although he didn’t have any race experience. The two got along so well that Arie remained his mechanic for the rest of Carel's career.
