Gérard de Courcelles
Nationality | French |
---|---|
Born | Paris (9e arrondissement) | 21 May 1889
Died | 2 July 1927 Paris (15e arrondissement) | (aged 38)
24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
Years | 1923–1926 |
Teams | Lorraine-Dietrich |
Best finish | 1st (1925) |
Class wins | 2 (1923, 1925) |
Gérard de Courcelles (21 May 1889, Paris - 2 July 1927, Paris) was a French racing driver who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the French Lorraine-Dietrich automobile company, along with teammate André Rossignol.
Career[]
De Courcelles was a decorated fighter pilot during the First World War, receiving several citations and the Médaille militaire.
De Courcelles began his career driving cyclecars in Grands Prix, but was eventually hired by Lorraine-Dietrich to enter the inaugural 24 Hours. The two drivers ran together for the next two editions of the endurance event until they succeeded in 1925. The following year the two drove separate cars, with De Courcelles assigned to Marcel Mongin. Rossignol however, and new teammate Robert Bloch, went on to win the event once again, with De Courcelles and Mongin in second.
De Courcelles died on 2 July 1927 due to an accident during a Formule Libre race supporting the Grand Prix de l'ACF.
Racing record[]
Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results[]
Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1923 | Société Lorraine De Dietrich et Cie |
André Rossignol | Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 Sport [15CV] | 5.0 | 108 | 8th | 1st |
1924 | Société Lorraine De Dietrich et Cie |
André Rossignol | Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 Sport | 5.0 | 119 | 3rd | 2nd |
1925 | Société Lorraine De Dietrich et Cie |
André Rossignol | Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 Sport | 5.0 | 129 | 1st | 1st |
1926 | Société Lorraine De Dietrich et Cie |
Marcel Mongin | Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 Le Mans | 5.0 | 147 | 2nd | 2nd |
External links[]
- Gérard de Courcelles at racingsportscars.com.
- 1889 births
- 1927 deaths
- French racing drivers
- 24 Hours of Le Mans drivers
- 24 Hours of Le Mans winning drivers
- Racing drivers killed while racing
- French auto racing biography stubs