Gérard de Courcelles

Smaragd Marie Charles Henry Jullien "Gérard" de Courcelles (21 May 1889, Paris - 2 July 1927, Paris)[1] was a French racing driver who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the French Lorraine-Dietrich automobile company, along with teammate André Rossignol.

Gérard de Courcelles
Gérard de Courcelles in 1926
NationalityFrench
Born(1889-05-21)21 May 1889
Paris (9e arrondissement)
Died2 July 1927(1927-07-02) (aged 38)
Paris (15e arrondissement)
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Years1923–1926
TeamsLorraine-Dietrich
Best finish1st (1925)
Class wins2 (1923, 1925)

Career

De Courcelles was a decorated fighter pilot during the First World War, receiving several citations and the Médaille militaire.

De Courcelles began his career driving cyclecars in Grands Prix, but was eventually hired by Lorraine-Dietrich to enter the inaugural 24 Hours. The two drivers ran together for the next two editions of the endurance event until they succeeded in 1925. The following year the two drove separate cars, with De Courcelles assigned to Marcel Mongin. Rossignol however, and new teammate Robert Bloch, went on to win the event once again, with De Courcelles and Mongin in second.

De Courcelles died on 2 July 1927 due to an accident during a Formule Libre race supporting the Grand Prix de l'ACF.

Racing record

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results
Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
1923 France Société Lorraine De Dietrich
et Cie		 France André Rossignol Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 Sport [15CV] 5.0 108 8th 1st
1924 France Société Lorraine De Dietrich
et Cie		 France André Rossignol Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 Sport 5.0 119 3rd 2nd
1925 France Société Lorraine De Dietrich
et Cie		 France André Rossignol Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 Sport 5.0 129 1st 1st
1926 France Société Lorraine De Dietrich
et Cie		 France Marcel Mongin Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 Le Mans 5.0 147 2nd 2nd
Sources:[2][3]

References
  1. "Motorsport Memorial - Henry de Courcelles". Motorsport Memorial. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  2. "Gerard de Courcelles". Automobile Club de l'Ouest. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  3. "Complete Archive of Gérard de Courcelles". Racing Sports Cars. Retrieved 17 September 2023.


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