The first multiple win of The 24 hours of Le Mans occurred in just the third and forth time the race was held. This feat was accomplished by the French manufacturer Lorraine-Dietrich with their B3-6 model.
In addition to winning the 24 hour of Le Mans in 1925 and in 1926, examples of the La Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 where entered at least 21 times in races from 1923 to 1935.
Before winning Le Mans in 1925 there were three Lorraine-Dietrich B3/6s entered in the 1923 Le Mans. One DNF and the others finished 8th and 19th.
The following year, 1924, there were again three entrants. One was a DNF and the other two were a remarkable second and third place.
In 1925 not only did Lorraine-Dietrich B3/6 win the race out-right but the other car entered, came in second as well
That same year two examples competed in a 24 hour race at Spa finishing second and fifth.
At Le Mans in 1926 again it was three cars entered. They finished a slightly astonishing first, second and third place. The first 1,2,3 sweep or "Hat-trick" in Le Mans history.
While winning two consecutive years may not constitute an era it was, nevertheless, an impressive showing.
The Lorraine-Dietrich was such a strong competitor that only the failure of the company to field a team in 1927 was the reason that Bentley became favored to win.
The name of the company was reduced to simply Lorraine in 1928 after the de Dietrich family sold its share in the company. The resulting De Dietrich Ferroviaire existed as a railway locomotive manufacturer until it was acquired and renamed by Alstrom and is now known as Alstrom DDF.
The the back-to-back wins never attained legendary status and the Lorraine-Dietrich story slipped into obsecurity most likely because Lorraine ceased automobile production in 1935.
While winning two consecutive years may not constitute an era it was, nevertheless, an impressive showing.
The Lorraine-Dietrich was such a strong competitor that only the failure of the company to field a team in 1927 was the reason that Bentley became favored to win.
The name of the company was reduced to simply Lorraine in 1928 after the de Dietrich family sold its share in the company. The resulting De Dietrich Ferroviaire existed as a railway locomotive manufacturer until it was acquired and renamed by Alstrom and is now known as Alstrom DDF.
The the back-to-back wins never attained legendary status and the Lorraine-Dietrich story slipped into obsecurity most likely because Lorraine ceased automobile production in 1935.
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Car #5 - 19th in 1923, 3rd in 1924,
1st in 1925, 2nd in 1926
1st in 1925, 2nd in 1926
Car #4 - 17th DNF in1924, 3rd in 1925, 3rd in 1926
Car #6 - 31st DNF in 1923, 2nd in 1924, 1st in 1926
One of the several B3-6s built on the Le Mans style chassis
as a celebration of their success at Le Mans
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