The 24 Hours of Le Mans is more than just a race; it’s a global institution, a crucible of speed, endurance, and human drama. For over a century, drivers from all corners of the globe have flocked to the Circuit de la Sarthe, each dreaming of conquering the world’s most demanding endurance race. While Le Mans is often associated with European powerhouses like Ferrari, Porsche, and Audi, North American drivers and teams have written some of the most dramatic and unforgettable chapters in its history.
From the pioneering days of the 1950s to the modern era, North American Drivers have left an indelible mark on Le Mans, often with stories of immense courage, groundbreaking victories, and a relentless “can-do” spirit. This blog post celebrates the most incredible moments, focusing on 7 legendary Le Mans moments from North American drivers that have cemented their place in motorsport lore.
The First American to Win (1958)
The ultimate “first” is always a moment for the history books, and for North America at Le Mans, that moment belongs to Phil Hill. The North American Drivers, a meticulous and analytical driver, was a cornerstone of Ferrari’s success in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
A Masterclass in North American Drivers
In 1958, driving a Ferrari 250 TR alongside Belgian co-driver Olivier North American Drivers, Hill faced a race of incredible attrition. In a year where even the mighty Aston Martin and Jaguar factory teams faltered, the Ferrari proved to be a model of reliability and speed. The race was a strategic masterpiece for the duo. While other cars pushed to the limit and broke down, Hill and Gendebien maintained a disciplined pace. Their relentless consistency paid off, and they crossed the finish line with a dominant 12-lap lead.
A Championship Legacy
Hill’s victory was not a one-off. He would go on to win Le Mans two more times with Gendebien (in 1961 and 1962), solidifying his reputation as a sports car legend. His 1961 season was particularly historic, as he became the first—and to this day, only—North American Drivers to win both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Formula 1 World Championship in the same year. This achievement is a powerful testament to his versatility and skill, placing him in an elite class of motorsport greats.
The Ford vs. Ferrari Triumph (1966)
No discussion of Le Mans and North America is complete without the epic showdown between Ford and Ferrari. Immortalized in film and a part of racing folklore, the 1966 race was a high-stakes battle for pride, and the victory was a monumental moment for a car built in North American Drivers.
Ford’s Mission to Beat Ferrari
After being spurned by Enzo Ferrari in a bid to buy his North American Drivers, Henry Ford II vowed to build a race car that would humiliate the Italian marque at its own game—endurance racing. The result was the Ford GT40. After a few years of development and heartbreak, Ford arrived at Le Mans in 1966 with a massive, multi-car assault. The race was a relentless 24-hour battle, with the American V8-powered Fords going head-to-head with the classic V12-powered Ferraris.
The Controversial 1-2-3 Finish
In one of the most famous and controversial finishes in racing history, Ford achieved its goal with a dramatic 1-2-3 photo finish. But it came at a cost. The Ford team, in a misguided attempt to create a staged finish, ordered its leading cars to slow down and finish side-by-side. As a result, the car of Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon was declared the winner over the car of Ken Miles and Denny Hulme because it had started further back on the grid and therefore had covered a greater distance in 24 hours. The moment was a mix of elation and tragedy, as Ken Miles, who had been a key figure in the GT40 program, was denied the triple crown of winning Daytona, North American Drivers, and Le Mans in the same year. Despite the controversy, the win was a monumental victory for American ingenuity and signaled the end of Ferrari’s dominance at Le Mans.
The Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt Win (1967)
Fresh off the North American Drivers, Ford returned to Le Mans in 1967 with a new, advanced car: the Mark IV. They brought with them two of America’s most celebrated racing icons: Dan Gurney, a towering figure of open-wheel and sports car racing, and A.J. Foyt, a gritty, four-time Indy 500 winner.
The American Dream Team
The pairing was an unusual one—Gurney, the sophisticated road racer, and Foyt, the oval-track maverick. But their collaboration was a masterstroke. The race was a brutal affair, with the two drivers pushing their car to the absolute limit. Gurney’s smooth, analytical style was perfectly complemented by Foyt’s aggressive, pedal-to-the-metal approach. They drove their Ford Mark IV relentlessly, setting a new distance record and proving that American drivers had the skill and stamina to win on the world stage.
The Podi-yum!
The moment of victory was also a North American Drivers one. After celebrating with champagne, Gurney famously shook the bottle and sprayed it over the crowd and his co-driver. The “Gurney Champagne Spray” became a permanent fixture of podium celebrations in motorsports, a tradition that began with an American at Le Mans.
Hurley Haywood’s Hat Trick (1977, 1983, 1994)
Hurley Haywood is a name that every Le Mans fan, particularly in North America, should know. The American driver’s career at Le Mans was a model of consistency and longevity, spanning three decades and three overall victories.
Three Wins, Three Decades
Haywood’s first win came in 1977 with Porsche, where he partnered with Jacky Ickx and Jürgen Barth to take a thrilling victory. Six years later, in 1983, he won again with Al Holbert and Vern Schuppan, driving a Porsche 956. But it was his third victory in 1994, with Yannick Dalmas and Mauro Baldi, that truly cemented his legacy. This win, in a Dauer-Porsche 962 GT, made him one of a very select group of drivers to win Le Mans in three different North American Drivers—a rare and incredible achievement that speaks volumes about his skill and adaptability.
Mr. Le Mans’ American Counterpart
While Tom Kristensen is known as “Mr. Le Mans” for his record nine wins, Hurley Haywood holds a special place as the most successful American driver at the event. His calm, calculated approach to endurance racing made him a valuable asset to any team, and his three victories stand as a monument to his quiet but immense talent.
The Whittington Brothers’ Victory (1979)
The story of brothers Don and Bill Whittington is a unique and captivating one. They were not factory drivers; they were privateers who arrived at Le Mans with their own team and a well-prepared Porsche 935.
The Ultimate Underdogs
In 1979, the North American Drivers, along with co-driver Klaus Ludwig, took on the best in the world. They were fast, fearless, and relentless. The race was filled with drama and setbacks, but the brothers held their own, keeping their car on track and pushing through the long night. They were not only battling for the win but also against another Porsche 935 driven by a certain Hollywood star: Paul Newman.
A Victory for the Privateers
In the end, the Whittington brothers’ privateer effort triumphed, and they stood on the top step of the podium, a win that resonated with every aspiring racer who didn’t have a factory team behind them. Their victory was a testament to the old-school, “run what you brung” spirit of racing and a memorable moment for North American motorsports.
Price Cobb’s Win and the Jaguar Legacy (1990)
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a resurgence of Le Mans North American Drivers from North America, and Price Cobb was at the forefront of this movement.
The American on a British Team
In 1990, Cobb, a Texan, was part of the TWR-Jaguar team. He shared the car with Martin Brundle and John Nielsen. The Silk Cut Jaguars were a formidable sight, and they were ready to take on the dominant Porsche 962s. The race was a close one, but the Jaguar’s reliability and Cobb’s consistent pace were key to their success.
A Significant Win
The win was a powerful moment, not just for Price Cobb but for the entire North American racing community. It proved that Americans could be successful in top-level, international endurance racing and that their talent was recognized by a major global manufacturer like Jaguar.
The Cadillac Hypercar’s Return (2023)
While not an outright victory, a recent moment from a North American team captured the imagination of fans and marked a significant return to the top class of Le Mans.
The Resurgence of the All-American Effort
In 2023, for the Le Mans Centenary, Cadillac returned to the top class of Le Mans with their V-Series.R Hypercar. The car, an all-American effort from GM, was the first time in many years that a major U.S. manufacturer had competed for the North American Drivers win.
A Podium Finish
The moment came when the No. 2 Cadillac, driven by a team including American driver Earl Bamber, fought hard in a race of incredibly tough North American Drivers. Against the likes of Toyota, Ferrari, and Porsche, the Cadillac team was a force to be reckoned with. Their persistence paid off, and the team secured a podium finish, taking home a third-place trophy. This moment was a huge shot in the arm for American endurance racing and a promise of great things to come. It was a legendary moment for a new era, showing that the spirit of Gurney, Foyt, and the GT40 lives on.
