1985 24 Hours of Le Mans
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The 1985 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 53rd Grand Prix of Endurance as well as the fourth round of the 1985 World Endurance Championship. It took place at the Circuit de la Sarthe, France, on 15 and 16 June 1985.
During Thursday's practice, British driver Dudley Wood in a John Fitzpatrick entered Porsche 962C tangled with the Swiss driver Jean-Pierre Frey in an Alba AR2 on the Mulsanne Straight at 200 mph (320 km/h). They crashed, and they both went over the barriers and into the trees, similar to John Sheldon's crash the year before. The impact was so hard, it even cracked the Porsche's engine. No one was killed. As a result, neither car started the race.[1]
During qualifying, German driver Hans-Joachim Stuck recorded the fastest ever lap of Le Mans for the time - at an average speed of 156.471 mph (251.815 km/h). His record would be held for 32 years, until Kamui Kobayashi broke it in 2017 in a Toyota TS050 Hybrid, averaging a speed of 156.512 mph (251.882 km/h), on a slower and safer variation of the circuit.
Klaus Ludwig took his third overall win, and his second in a row, in the same 956B chassis, 956B-117, which had won the 1984 race.
6-time winner Jacky Ickx finished his final 24 Hours of Le Mans in 10th place.
Official results
Finishers
Results taken from Quentin Spurring's book, officially licensed by the ACO[2][3][4][5]
Class Winners are in Bold text.
Pos | Class | No. | Team | Drivers | Chassis | Engine | Tyre | Laps |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gr.C1 | 7 | ![]() |
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Porsche 956B | Porsche 935/79 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
D | 374 |
2 | Gr.C1 | 14 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Porsche 956 GTi | Porsche 935/79 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
G | 371 |
3 | Gr.C1 | 2 | ![]() |
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Porsche 962C | Porsche 935/76 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
D | 367 |
4 | Gr.C1 | 33 | ![]() |
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Porsche 956B | Porsche 935/79 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
Y | 366 |
5 | Gr.C1 | 10 | ![]() |
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Porsche 956B | Porsche 935/79 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
G | 361 |
6 | Gr.C1 | 4 | ![]() |
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Lancia LC2 | Ferrari 308C 3.0L V8 twin turbo |
M | 360 |
7 | Gr.C1 | 5 | ![]() |
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Lancia LC2 | Ferrari 308C 3.0L V8 twin turbo |
M | 358 |
8 | Gr.C1 | 26 | ![]() |
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Porsche 956 | Porsche 935/79 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
G | 357 |
9 | Gr.C1 | 11 | ![]() |
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Porsche 962C | Porsche 935/76 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
G | 356 |
10 | Gr.C1 | 1 | ![]() |
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Porsche 962C | Porsche 935/76 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
D | 348 |
11 | Gr.C1 | 66 | ![]() |
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EMKA C83B | Aston Martin DP1229 5.3L V8 | D | 338 |
12 | Gr.C1 | 36 | ![]() |
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Dome RC85C-L | Toyota 4T-GT 2.1L S4 turbo | B | 330 |
13 | IMSA GTP |
44 | ![]() |
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Jaguar XJR-5 | Jaguar 6.0L V12 | G | 324 |
14 | Gr.C2 | 70 | ![]() |
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Spice-Tiga GC85 | Cosworth DFL 3.3L V8 | A | 312 |
15 | Gr.B | 151 | ![]() (private entrant) |
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BMW M1 | BMW M88 3.5L S6 | D | 312 |
16 | Gr.C2 | 75 | ![]() |
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Gebhardt JC843 | Cosworth DFL 3.3 L V8 | A | 299 |
17 | Gr.C1 | 42 | ![]() |
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WM P83B | Peugeot PRV ZNS4 2.8L V6 twin-turbo |
M | 299 |
18 | Gr.C1 | 39 | ![]() (private entrant) |
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Rondeau M382 | Cosworth DFL 3.3 L V8 | D | 291 |
19 | Gr.C2 | 86 | ![]() |
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Mazda 737C | Mazda 13B 1308cc twin-rotary |
D | 283 |
20 | Gr.C1 | 13 | ![]() ![]() |
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Cougar C12 | Porsche 935/76 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
M | 279 |
21 | Gr.C2 | 99 | ![]() (private entrant) |
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Tiga GC285 | Cosworth BDT 1778cc S4 turbo |
A | 274 |
22 | Gr.C1 | 34 | ![]() |
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March 84G | Porsche 935/76 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
Y | 270 |
23 | Gr.C2 | 95 | ![]() (private entrant) |
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Sauber SHS C6 | BMW M88 3.5L S6 | A | 268 |
24 | Gr.C2 | 85 | ![]() |
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Mazda 737C | Mazda 13B 1308cc twin-rotary |
D | 264 |
N/C* | Gr.C2 | 77 | ![]() |
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Tiga GC84 | Cosworth DFV 3.0 L V8 | D | 226 |
N/C* | Gr.C2 | 74 | ![]() ![]() |
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Gebhardt JC853 | Cosworth DFV 3.0 L V8 | A | 224 |
N/C* | Gr.C2 | 98 | ![]() |
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Tiga GC284 | Cosworth BDT 1778cc S4 turbo |
A | 150 |
N/C* | Gr.C2 | 93 | ![]() Louis Descartes (private entrant) |
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ALD 01 | BMW M88 3.5L S6 | A | 141 |
- Note *: Not Classified because did not cover sufficient distance (70% of the winner) by the race's end.[6]
Did Not Finish
Pos | Class | No | Team | Drivers | Chassis | Engine | Tyre | Laps | Reason |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DNF | Gr.C1 | 18 | ![]() |
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Porsche 956 | Porsche 935/79 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
D | 323 | Engine (24hr) |
DNF | Gr.C1 | 19 | ![]() |
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Porsche 962C | Porsche 935/76 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
D | 304 | Accident (22hr) |
DNF | Gr.C1 | 3 | ![]() |
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Porsche 962C | Porsche 935/76 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
D | 299 | Engine (21hr) |
DNF | Gr.C1 | 31 | ![]() ![]() (private entrant) |
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Rondeau M382 | Cosworth DFV 3.0L V8 | D | 286 | Engine (23hr) |
DNF | Gr.C1 | 8 | ![]() |
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Porsche 956 | Porsche 935/79 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
D | 277 | Accident (19hr) |
DSQ | Gr.C1 | 41 | ![]() |
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WM P83B | Peugeot PRV ZNS4 2.8L V6 twin-turbo |
M | 267 | Found to be underweight to post-race scrutineering (24hr) |
DNF | Gr.C2 | 80 | ![]() |
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Alba AR6 | Carma FF 1915cc S4 turbo | A | 228 | Electrics (19hr) |
DNF | IMSA GTP |
40 | ![]() |
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Jaguar XJR-5 | Jaguar 6.0L V12 | G | 151 | Transmission (13hr) |
DNF | Gr.C1 | 67 | ![]() ![]() (private entrant) |
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Rondeau M482 | Cosworth DFL 3.3L V8 | M | 143 | Engine (12hr) |
DNF | Gr.C1 | 38 | ![]() |
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Dome 85C-L | Toyota 4T-GT 2.1L S4 turbo | D | 141 | Transmission (13hr) |
DNF | Gr.C2 | 90 | ![]() (private entrant) |
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URD C83 | BMW M88 3.5L S6 | A | 141 | Engine (12hr) |
DNF | Gr.B | 157 | ![]() (private entrant) |
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BMW M1 | BMW M88 3.5L S6 | A | 116 | Engine (11hr) |
DNF | Gr.B | 156 | ![]() (private entrant) |
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Porsche 911 SC | Porsche 3.0L F6 | P | 107 | Engine (10hr) |
DNF | Gr.C1 | 43 reserve |
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WM P83B | Peugeot PRV ZNS4 2.8L V6 twin-turbo |
M | 73 | Accident (8hr) |
DNF | Gr.C2 | 104 reserve |
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Rondeau M379C | Cosworth DFV 3.0 L V8 | A | 65 | Suspension (7hr) |
DNF | Gr.C1 | 24 | ![]() Switzerland |
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Cheetah G604 | Aston Martin 5.3L V8 | D | 53 | Accident (7hr) |
DNF | Gr.C2 | 79 | ![]() |
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Ecosse C285 | Cosworth DFV 3.0L V8 | A | 45 | Oil pump (4hr) |
DNF | Gr.C1 | 46 reserve |
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Rondeau M482 | Cosworth DFL 3.3L V8 | M | 36 | Suspension (4hr) |
DNF | Gr.B | 152 | ![]() (private entrant) |
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BMW M1 | BMW M88 3.5L S6 | D | 32 | Transmission (4hr) |
DNF | Gr.C2 | 100 | ![]() (private entrant) ![]() |
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Chevron B62 | Cosworth DFL 3.3L V8 | A | 19 | Engine (3hr) |
DNF | Gr.C2 | 82 | ![]() (private entrant) |
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Alba AR3 | Cosworth DFL 3.3L V8 | D | 5 | Electrics (9hr) |
Did Not Start
Pos | Class | No | Team | Drivers | Chassis | Engine | Tyre | Reason |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DNS | Gr.C1 | 61 | ![]() |
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Sauber C8 | Mercedes-Benz M117 5.0L V8 turbo | D | Practice Accident |
DNS | Gr.C2 | 81 | ![]() |
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Alba AR2 | Carma FF 1915cc S4 turbo | A | Practice Accident |
DNS | Gr.C2 | 97 | ![]() (private entrant) |
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Strandell 85 | Porsche 930/60 3.3L F6 turbo | A | Engine |
DNQ | Gr.C1 | 55 | ![]() |
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Porsche 962C | Porsche 935/76 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
Y | Practice Accident |
DNQ | Gr.C2 | 106 reserve |
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Lotec C302 | Cosworth DFV 3.0L V8 | D | Did not qualify |
DNA | Gr.C1 | 6 | ![]() |
Lancia LC2 | Ferrari 308C 3.0L V8 twin turbo |
M | Withdrawn | |
DNA | Gr.C1 | 16 | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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Porsche 956 | Porsche 935/79 2.6L F6 twin turbo |
G | Withdrawn |
DNA | Gr.C1 | 23 | ![]() Switzerland |
Cheetah G604 | Aston Martin 5.3L V8 | D | Withdrawn | |
DNA | Gr.C1 | 32 | ![]() |
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Dome RC82i | Cosworth DFV 3.0L V8 | Did not arrive | |
DNA | Gr.C1 | 51 | ![]() Silk Cut Jaguar |
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Jaguar XJR-6 | Jaguar 6.0L V12 | Did not arrive | |
DNA | Gr.C1 | 52 | ![]() Silk Cut Jaguar |
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Jaguar XJR-6 | Jaguar 6.0L V12 | Did not arrive | |
DNA | Gr.C1 | 53 | ![]() Silk Cut Jaguar |
Jaguar XJR-6 | Jaguar 6.0L V12 | Did not arrive | ||
DNA | Gr.C1 | 54 | ![]() |
Sauber C8 | Mercedes-Benz M117 5.0L V8 turbo | D | Did not arrive | |
DNA | Gr.C1 | 62 | ![]() |
Sauber C8 | Mercedes-Benz M117 5.0L V8 turbo | D | Did not arrive | |
DNA | Gr.C1 | 63 | ![]() (private entrant) |
Harrier RX83C | Chevrolet 5.7L V8 | Did not arrive | ||
DNA | Gr.C1 | 68 | ![]() (private entrant) |
Rondeau M382 | Cosworth DFL 3.3 L V8 | D | Did not arrive | |
DNA | Gr.C1 | 69 | ![]() ![]() (private entrant) |
Rondeau M382 | Cosworth DFL 3.3 L V8 | D | Did not arrive | |
DNA | Gr.C2 | 72 | ![]() |
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Gebhardt JC853 | Cosworth DFV 3.0 L V8 | A | Did not arrive |
DNA | Gr.C2 | 76 | ![]() |
Tiga GC84 | Cosworth DFV 3.0 L V8 | D | Did not arrive | |
DNA | Gr.C2 | 91 | ![]() |
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Lyncar MS83B | Cosworth DFV 3.0 L V8 | Did not arrive | |
DNA | Gr.C2 | 94 | ![]() |
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Argo JM16 | Cosworth DFV 3.0 L V8 | Did not arrive | |
DNA | Gr.C2 | 102 | ![]() (private entrant) |
Sauber SHS C6 | BMW M88 3.5L S6 | Did not arrive | ||
DNA | Gr.B | 152 | ![]() (private entrant) |
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Porsche 930 | Porsche 930/60 3.3L F6 turbo | M | Did not arrive |
DNA | IMSA GTO |
170 | ![]() |
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Pontiac Firebird | Pontiac 5.9L V8 | Did not arrive | |
DNA | IMSA GTO |
171 | ![]() |
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Pontiac Firebird | Pontiac 5.9L V8 | Did not arrive | |
DNA | IMSA GTO |
171 | ![]() |
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Ford Mustang]] | Ford 6.1L V8 | Did not arrive |
Class Winners
Class | Winning Car | Winning Drivers |
---|---|---|
Group C1 | #7 Porsche 956B | Ludwig / Barilla / "Winter" * |
IMSA-GTP | #44 Jaguar XJR-5 | Tullius / Ballot-Léna / Robinson * |
Group C2 | #75 Tiga GC85 | Spice / Bellm / Galvin |
Group B | #151 BMW M1 | Dören / Birrane / Libert * |
- Note: setting a new class distance record.
Index of Energy Efficiency
Statistics
Taken from Quentin Spurring's book, officially licensed by the ACO
- Pole Position –H.-J. Stuck, #2 Porsche 962C– 3:14.8secs; 251.2 km/h (156.1 mph)
- Fastest Lap – J. Ickx, #1 Porsche 962C – 3:25.1secs; 239.2 km/h (148.6 mph)
- Winning Distance – 5,088.51 km (3,161.85 mi)
- Winner's Average Speed – 212.02 km/h (131.74 mph)
- Attendance – 80,000[9] / 160,000.[10]
Notes
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "1985 LeMans crash(aftrermath)". YouTube.
- ^ Spurring 2012, p.2
- ^ Spurring 2012, p.198
- ^ Spurring 2012, p.230
- ^ "Racing Sports Cars". RacingSportsCars.com. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
- ^ Spurring 2012, p.19
- ^ Spurring 2012, p.8
- ^ Spurring 2012, p.231
- ^ "World Sports Racing Prototypes". wsrp.com. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Spurring 2012, p.200
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
References
- Clarke, R.M. - editor (1999) Le Mans 'The Porsche & Jaguar Years 1983-1991' Cobham, Surrey: Brooklands Books ISBN 1-85520-483-5
- Laban, Brian (2001) Le Mans 24 Hours London: Virgin Books ISBN 1-85227-971-0
- Hamilton, Maurice – editor (1985) Autocourse #31 1985/86 Richmond, Surrey: Hazleton Publishing ISBN 0-9051-3838-4
- Spurring, Quentin (2012) Le Mans 1980-89 Yeovil, Somerset: Haynes Publishing ISBN 978-0-85733-128-1
- Wimpffen, János (2008) Monocoques and Ground Effects Hong Kong: David Bull Publishing ISBN 1-893618-97-8
External links
- Racing Sports Cars – Le Mans 24 Hours 1983 with entries, results, technical detail and photos of every car. Retrieved 24 Apr 2023
- Le Mans History – Le Mans entry-list and hour-by-hour placings (incl. pictures of every car, quotes, highest speeds per car, YouTube links). Retrieved 24 Apr 2023
- World Sports Racing Prototypes – results, reserve entries & chassis numbers. Retrieved 24 Apr 2023
- Team Dan – results & reserve entries, explaining driver listings. Retrieved 24 Apr 2023
- Unique Cars & Parts – results & reserve entries. Retrieved 24 Apr 2023
- Formula 2 – Le Mans results & reserve entries. Retrieved 24 Apr 2023
- Speedfreaks – Results table for the World Challenge for Endurance Drivers. Retrieved 24 Apr 2023
- Motorsport Memorial – motor-racing deaths by year. Retrieved 24 Apr 2023
- YouTube – race coverage, with race sounds, English commentary, music cut out (20min). Retrieved 24 Apr 2023
- YouTube – compilation of assorted footage, with race sounds but no commentary (60min). Retrieved 24 Apr 2023
- YouTube – race coverage, with race sounds, Japanese commentary & rock music?! (40min). Retrieved 24 Apr 2023
- YouTube – series of 5 photographs showing the Sauber of John Nielsen getting airborne during practice (1min). Retrieved 24 Apr 2023