THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1978 24 HOURS OF LE MANS
For two years, Renault Alpine had been chasing victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Meanwhile, Porsche was eyeing a third consecutive win at the 1978 edition, fielding three 936/78s to take on the French marque's four cars!
Date: 10-11 June 1978
Number of competitors: 55
Number of retirements: 31
Weather: sunny and hot
Spectators: 180,000
Start given by French cyclist Raymond Poulidor
HOMMAGE ALPIN RENAULT
Key facts:
Renault had been beaten in 1976 and 1977 by Porsche and was therefore seeking a revenge win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The French marque fielded four Renault Alpines (#1 A443 for Jabouille-Depailler, #2 A442B for Jaussaud-Pironi, #3 A442A for Bell-Jarier and #4 A442A for Ragnotti-Frequelin) to compete against three 936s (#5 for Ickx-Pescarolo-Mass, #6 for Barth-Wollek, #7 for Haywood-Gregg-Joest) and one 935/78 (called "Moby Dick" with 750 hp for Schurti-Stommelen). Also participating were two Mirage M9 Renaults (#10 for Schuppan-Laffite-Posey, #11 for Posey-Leclère).
Pos. No. Drivers Car Entrant Laps Distance Km/h Pos. Gr. Pos. Div.
1st 2 Pironi / Jaussaud Alpine-Renault A442B Equipe Renault Elf Sport 370 5044.530 kms 210.189 1st S+2.0 1st +2000
2nd 6 Wollek / Barth / Ickx Porsche 936/78 Martini Racing Porsche System 365 4968.120 kms 207.005 2nd S+2.0
3rd 7 Haywood / Gregg / Jöst Porsche 936/77 Martini Racing Porsche System 363 4940.730 kms 205.863 3rd S+2.0
4th 4 Ragnotti / Fréquelin / Dolhem / Jabouille Alpine-Renault A442A Equipe Renault Elf Sport Calberson 359 4894.390 kms 203.932 4th S+2.0
5th 90 Redman / Paul / Barbour Porsche 935/77A Dick Barbour Racing 338 4607.420 kms 191.975 1st IMSA+2.5 1st +2500
6th 44 Busby / Knoop / Cord Porsche 935/77A Porsche Kremer Racing 337 4592.970 kms 191.373 1st Gr.5+2.0 1st +2000
7th 41 Gomes / Amaral / Guaraná Menezes Porsche 935 A.S.A. Cachia-Team Pace 330 4489.010 kms 187.042 2nd Gr.5+2.0
8th 43 Schurti / Stommelen Porsche 935/78 Martini Racing Porsche System 327 4447.730 kms 185.322 3rd Gr.5+2.0
9th 72 Rondeau / Darniche / Haran Rondeau M378 Ford Jean Rondeau 295 4019.020 kms 167.459 1st GTP3.0 1st 2001-3000
10th 10 Schuppan / Laffite / Posey Mirage M9 Renault Grand Touring Cars Inc. 294 4007.730 kms 166.988 5th S+2.0 "
