Synopsis
Released in 1954 about the 1953 race, "International Road Race" shows the 24 Hours of LeMans with a special emphasis on the American sports car designer Briggs Cunningham and his new 300hp car known as "the Shark" or C-5R. The C-5R was powered by a 331.1 cubic-inch Chrysler eight-cylinder, hemi-head engine with Zenith downdraft carburetors developing 310 horsepower at 5200 rpm. It sat on a 100-inch wheelbase and weighs 5200 pounds. The film features images of the Alpha Romeo, Gordini (driven in part by American Harry Shell), Ferrari, Jaguar and other competitors. As the film shows in this era, the LeMans race was held on roads that were actually shared with motor traffic in practice sessions. The 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 21st Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 13 and 14 June 1953, at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans (France). It was also the third round of the F.I.A. World Sports Car Championship. At 3:40 the race begins with drivers running to their cars and jockeying for position. Cars begin reaching speeds over 150 mph as the Jaguar takes the lead. The race continues for seven hours as the sun goes down at 5:00. By now 15 entries have dropped out, and Cunningham is shown in the pits at 5:20 having a tire changed. At 5:40, the 13th hour, Cunningham is in third. At 6:00, the narrator mentions the fatal accident that tragically killed Tom Cole. At 6:40, Cunningham remains in the top of the race against the Jaguar. The Jaguar's disc brakes end up being a…
Uploader's description on archive.org
Details
- Running time
- 8 minutes
- Language
- English
- Collection
- Ephemeral Films
Subjects on the Internet Archive
- Stock Footage