Original subtitles

Your attention, please.

There has been an accident at Maison Blanche.

It involved Porsche number 64, driven by Michael Delaney

and Ferrari number 18, driven by Fioro Belgetti.

Senora Belgetti,

Attention, attention...

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

On this circuit, the world's most famous motor race is run.

Conceived by Charles Faroux and Georges Durand

shortly after the first World War,

the course was named after the nearest town

and the number of hours that men and machines

are put to the supreme test of speed and stamina.

The circuit is 13.469 kilometers, or 8.418 miles.

Composed of country roads linked with the main highway

nearly all of it open to traffic 363 days a year.

Along the 3.2-mile Mulsanne straight

the cars reach a maximum speed in excess of 230 miles per hour.

The first race was run in 1923.

The lap record was 9 minutes, 39 seconds.

The average speed, 66.69 miles per hour.

Last year, the lap record was 3 minutes, 22 seconds.

The average speed, 145.508 miles per hour.

The race is open to six classes of cars...

from the smallest production models

to the largest sports and turbo-type engines...

all competing at the same time on the same circuit.

There are 55 cars and 110 drivers

representing countries from all over the world.

They will drive day and night, through sun and rain.

Beneath his racing suit,

each driver must wear fireproof underwear

capable of withstanding 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit...

the temperature of burning gasoline... for 15 seconds.

His blood type must be indicated

on either suit or crash helmet.

Each car has two alternating drivers.

No driver may total more than 14 out of the 24 hours.

Each driver must have at least one hour rest

between turns at the wheel.

No one may drive more than four consecutive hours.

For the first time in the history of this race,

the running start,

with the drivers lined up on the opposite side of the track

then running to their cars

at the fall of the tri-colored flag,

tests speed of action for reasons of safety.

This year, the drivers will be

securely strapped into their driving seats

prior to the start of the race.

Yellow flags and yellow lights along the circuit

indicate the presence of an accident

or as it is called in the racing world, a "shunt".

Yellow means danger.

No overtaking.

The race will start 4:00 p. m. Saturday,

and finish 4:00 p. m. Sunday.

The car covering the greatest distance in 24 hours

shall be the winner.

In the case of the last two cars,

this will be the supreme test of 3,000 miles.

And so, ladies and gentlemen,

welcome to the most famous motorcar race in the world...

the 38th running of the grand prix

of endurance and efficiency...

the 24 hours of Le Mans.

We're pleased to welcome Michael Delaney back to Le Mans

after his unfortunate accident here last year

and to see that he is in such good form

following his exciting race, a fortnight ago

at the Nurburgring

where Ferrari's top driver, Erich Stahler,

narrowly beat him.

The Delaney-Stahler rivalry

will be interesting to follow on this very different circuit

where the endurance of the car

is as important as is the skill of the driver.

It is now five minutes to four.

Five minutes to start.

Will all drivers be in their cars

in one minute's time, please.

Drivers... to your cars, please.

Four minutes to start.

Three minutes to start.

Two-and-a-half minutes to start.

Two minutes to start.

And once again, here are the first ten qualifying positions:

Number 25, driven by Kurt Ahrens;

number 15, driven by Michael Parkes;

number 21, driven by Johann Ritter...

...number 22, driven by Paul-Jacques Dion;

number 8, driven by Erich Stahler...

...number 5, driven by Lugo Abratte;

number 6, driven by Vito Scaliso;

number 7, driven by Claude Aurac;

number 20, driven by Michael Delaney...

...number 14, driven by Gilles Marnier.

Over three minutes have passed.

We may expect the cars through the check gate any moment now.

Will it be Porsche or Ferrari in the lead?

Here's the leading car, Porsche number 25,

in for its first pit stop for fuel

and possible driver change.

And here comes Erich Stahler, Ferrari number eight,

closely followed by the first of the Gulf-Porsche cars,

number 20, driven by Michael Delaney.

Watch out for the red Lola.

Okay.

Pretty quick pit stop for the Ferrari...

...and here comes 20, back on the track.

Still in first place.

Gulf-Porsche number 21, driven by Johann Ritter,

entering the pit.

And... Porsche number 20 Delaney.

20 by four.

Okay, thank you.

My colleague has just handed me a weather report,

and it looks as if the possibility of rain...

which was previously forecast... will shortly be upon us.

Just one more, Mr. Delaney.

Hello.

You had a very good start.

It's a long race.

Are you well?

Excuse me.

Thank you.

What will you tell Peter and Erica

when they get old enough

to ask what their father does for a living?

I'll tell them that their father

is the greatest chauffeur in the world.

If you had a choice,

would you like to tell them something else?

For example,

"Well, this week, daddy's flying to Switzerland."

Yes. The new motor factory is almost completed

and I have to interview

various applicants for...

What are you trying to tell me?

Would you like that better?

Only if you'd like it better.

If they ask me what their mother does for a living,

I'll say "she lies."

"She can look straight into your eyes

"and tell the biggest lies

you've ever heard in your life."

Really?

Yes.

It's the right time to stop.

I can finish quite well in this race.

Perhaps even...

Well, in any case, it's the right time to stop.

As was forecast, we have our first touch of rain.

It's going to be very interesting

to see what tactics the team manages in the rain.

If it's only a shower,

they won't change from dry to rain tires.

But if it does continue, they must.

Your attention to the pit area.

The longtail Porsche, number 25, is coming in,

after having been out on the circuit

for only 14 minutes, since its last stop

for fuel and driver change.

The team of Kurt Ahrens and Vic Elford

has built up a formidable early lead

on the factory Ferraris

and the Gulf-Porsche team.

However, it appears now

that something definitely out of the ordinary

has befallen the Austrian entry.

You will recall that this is the car which,

for the first time in the history of Le Mans,

averaged a speed in excess of 150 miles per hour.

Mr. Delaney.

You know the white longtail is out of the race

with a blown engine.

Yeah, well, that's bad luck.

Do you think it will be

another Ferrari-Porsche race?

A little early to say, but I think so.

What kind of race will you drive?

Try to save the machine, go as fast as I can, try to win.

Do you think it will be like Nurburgring...

a race between you and Stahler?

I hope not, ma'am.

And what do you think of Stahler?

Stahler? I think he's probably

one of the best drivers in the world.

Excuse me.

What do you think is the most difficult thing

about Le Mans?

To go as fast as possible,

and keep the car on the road for 24 hours.

That's difficult.

Would this be the same kind of race

you had with Delaney at the Nurburgring?

Well, this is Le Mans.

It's a different thing, you know?

Do you think that you and Delaney

will end up having a close race here?

Maybe. He's fast, I'm fast, so we're always together.

Good luck.

Michael...

How's that German car running?

Fast. Ferrari?

Fast.

It's getting wetter.

Slipping and sliding.

Michael, uh... the press is making

a big thing about us.

Yeah. But it's money.

That's American.

Michael...

be careful.

Now don't be a pain in the ass, Erich.

And here are the official positions,

two hours into the race.

In first place, Ferrari number eight

finished 35 laps at an average speed

of 144.981 miles per hour.

In second position is Gulf-Porsche number 20

at 35 laps...

All cars have come into the pits

to change to rain tires, with the notable exception

of the three Gulf-Porsche entries

and the four Ferrari team cars.

It is apparent that neither Porsche manager David Townsend

or Ferrari manager Loretto Fuselli

wants to call his cars in for an unscheduled pit stop

during this closely contested race.

Looks kind of hairy out there.

At practice it didn't rain,

so this is really your first time

out in the weather at Le Mans.

"Ja," it is.

Why doesn't Townsend bring them in for rain tires?

Why don't you ask him?

It's raining worse at Mulsanne.

They're due in, in 11...

In 11 minutes. I know.

Your attention, please.

There has been an accident...

It involves Lola number 11, and Porsche

number 47.

Fortunately, the drivers are not hurt.

Bring them in for rain tires.

Here we are.

Ferrari's decided to change at last.

And Porsche number 20 has come into the pits, also.

Now we should see a race develop between the mechanics,

and they will determine

who's going to be the first to go out.

20 is away first.

Delaney now leads Le Mans.

And there goes Stahler,

now in second place.

- No problem. - No problem, yes, yes.

It's nothing!

It's going well, Claude, isn't it?

Oui. I can feel it.

The machine is good.

This might be the year.

Well, let's hope so.

It's a long race.

I know.

Don't think too far ahead.

Lisa?

Yes?

Would you like some coffee?

No, thank you.

Ciao.

What problems have you got out there?

Only thing is, that off the Mulsanne,

in the middle of the road...

...if you stay a little bit to the right

and watch it when you come up over the hump,

has a little bit of tendency to go this way.

Be a little careful before you go into the cape,

and you can out-brake the Ferrari.

Hey, guys, move it!

All right, Mike...

How long?

Merci.

"Monsieur."

Bon soir, Monsieur Delaney.

Bon soir.

Hello, Mike.

How you doing?

Cheese, please.

Seems to be the only seat left.

May I sit down?

Where are you living now?

In Paris.

I have to watch myself in Paris.

I always get fat there.

I heard you and Erich

had quite a race at the Nurburgring.

Well, he keeps me honest.

Can I, can I get you something?

No, thank you.

Were you hurt badly in the accident?

No.

Was it difficult to get back to racing?

Not really.

But it must have been very difficult for you.

It was, in the beginning.

I'm better now.

I was just wondering...

why you came back here.

For myself.

Delaney's on his way.

Dixie.

Check the rear uprights on 20, 21 and 22.

All right.

It is 5:00 a. m.,

the 13th hour of the race,

and the Ferrari-Porsche battle continues unabated

with only 12 seconds separating the two lead cars:

Gulf-Porsche number 20, Ferrari number eight.

As of this moment,

there are 25 cars left in the race.

I shall give you

a precise listing of the most recent abandonments

in a few moments' time.

Watch the handling, Michael.

Just a slight return about the rear uprights.

Here's the second Ferrari team car coming in.

Number seven, piloted by Chris Barnett.

Another driver change should be in order.

Yes, Claude Aurac will take over.

Your attention, please.

There has been an accident.

It involves Ferrari number seven,

Porsche number 20.

Both cars are out of the race.

I shall tell you about the drivers' condition

as soon as I get word from hospital.

This way.

Please sit down there, please.

Yes.

Can you tell us about Aurac?

Do you know if Michael caused the accident?

We just want to ask you...

I don't know.

I don't know

and I don't want to talk about it!

Do you compare this to last year's shunt,

the one in which this lady's husband was killed?

I have just received word from the pit box that Marta Simca...

...that Marta Simca number 30,

out of the race due to gear box problems.

Just got word from the hospital about Claude.

It's bad, but they say he will pull through.

And Delaney?

Nothing serious, but he's out of the race.

Are you all right, Michael?

I'm fine.

You sure?

Yeah. I'm all right.

Where are we running?

Third and fourth.

Michael, are you all right?

Yeah, I'm okay.

It was a bad shunt.

Yeah.

Where are you running?

Third.

If you try to nail Scaliso

do it down through Maison Blanche.

He doesn't like it there.

Thank you.

Michael, are you all right?

I'm okay.

Are you sure?

No. I'm fine.

Then what happened to the car?

It was my fault.

I made a mistake.

I wrote the car off, David.

David.

This isn't just a thousand-to-one shot.

This is a professional blood sport.

And it can happen to you.

And then it can happen to you again.

When people risk their lives...

shouldn't it be for something very important?

Well, it better be.

But what is so important

about driving faster than anyone else?

A lot of people go through life doing things badly.

Racing's important to men who do it well.

When you're racing it's...

it's life.

Anything that happens before or after...

it's just waiting.

What happened on the Delaney shunt?

There was a problem with the maul,

slower traffic got in the way.

The car is finished?

Yes, the car is finished.

Hey, David, 21's coming in!

Get the jack!

It's a wishbone.

Your attention in the pit area

with the leading car: Gulf-Porsche number 21

is experiencing something other than a routine stop.

From the action of the mechanics, it would appear

that there is a problem with the rear suspension.

Here is the second place car,

Ferrari number eight,

coming in for what should be

its last stop for fuel and driver change.

Erich Stahler will

take over for the final driving session, and no doubt

will resume the lead from Gulf-Porsche number 21

still in the pit.

Too slow.

Stahler's in trouble.

The bonnet's up on Ferrari number eight.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the first and second place cars are in the pits

experiencing mechanical difficulties.

Yeah?

Hello, David.

Are you fit, Michael?

Well, I'm a little stiff...

I say, are you fit?

My knees are sore.

Stahler's Ferrari's in the pits

with ignition problems.

We got 21 in with a broken

rear wishbone.

Dixie's fixing it now.

I want you to replace Ritter.

He's not quick enough.

Excuse me.

Michael, I want you to drive flat-out.

I want Porsche to win Le Mans.

Your attention, please.

Announcing a change of drivers.

Gulf-Porsche number 21 will be driven

by Michael Delaney, replacing Johann Ritter.

Repeat: Gulf-Porsche number 21

will be driven by Michael Delaney,

replacing Johann Ritter.

The car is running good.

Brakes are okay.

Darling, does it really matter?

Yes, it does.

But you were going to quit anyway.

Yeah...

but not this way.

Ladies and gentlemen,

through the Chicane and along the grandstand straight,

here is the new leader, Ferrari number five,

driven by Lugo Abratte,

with only eight minutes remaining

in the 24 hours of Le Mans.

And now, in second place

is Larry Wilson, in Gulf-Porsche number 22.

And now, through the Chicane,

and going into the final lap,

is the Veida Ferrari number five,

driven by Lugo Abratte.

And in second place

is Larry Wilson, in Gulf-Porsche number 22.

And, on the same lap, having made up nine seconds

on the two leaders,

are Ferrari number eight and Porsche number 21,

running third and fourth...

Erich Stahler and Michael Delaney,

pushing their cars to the limit in this,

the most closely contested finish

in the history of Le Mans.

Your attention, please.

I have just received word

that the first place car, Ferrari number five,

driven by Lugo Abratte,

is out of the race with tire trouble.

With only two minutes remaining in the race,

the lead has been taken over by Gulf-Porsche number 22,

driven by Larry Wilson.

Larry Wilson in 22.

Porsche wins Le Mans!

And second, Michael Delaney in Gulf-Porsche number 21.

And third, Ferrari number eight,

driven by Erich Stahler.

Thank you, Michael.