Gérard de Courcelles facts for kids
Gérard de Courcelles in 1926
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| Nationality | French |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 May 1889 Paris (9e arrondissement) |
| Died | 2 July 1927 (aged 38) Paris (15e arrondissement) |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
| Years | 1923–1926 |
| Teams | Lorraine-Dietrich |
| Best finish | 1st (1925) |
| Class wins | 2 (1923, 1925) |
Gérard de Courcelles (born May 21, 1889, in Paris – died July 2, 1927, in Paris) was a French racing driver. He is best known for winning the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1925. He achieved this victory with his teammate André Rossignol, driving for the French car company Lorraine-Dietrich.
A Racing Champion
Gérard de Courcelles was born in Paris, France. Before he became a racing driver, he was a brave pilot during the First World War. He was recognized for his courage and received several awards, including the Médaille militaire.
His Start in Racing
After the war, de Courcelles began his racing career. He first drove small, lightweight cars called cyclecars in early Grand Prix races. Soon, the well-known car company Lorraine-Dietrich hired him. They wanted him to compete in the very first 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1923.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a super tough endurance race. Teams of drivers race for a full 24 hours without stopping, testing both the cars and the drivers.
Winning Le Mans
Gérard de Courcelles teamed up with André Rossignol for the first few Le Mans races. They worked together for three years, always aiming for the top spot. Their hard work paid off in 1925 when they finally won the race! It was a huge achievement for them and for Lorraine-Dietrich.
The next year, in 1926, de Courcelles and Rossignol drove separate cars. De Courcelles raced with Marcel Mongin, and they finished in an impressive second place. Rossignol, with his new teammate Robert Bloch, won the race again that year.
A Tragic End
Sadly, Gérard de Courcelles' racing career ended too soon. On July 2, 1927, he was involved in an accident during a race called the Grand Prix de l'ACF. He passed away from his injuries.
