Belgians shine at Le Mans

Mexican Ricardo Rodriguez and Belgian André Pilette celebrate their fine second position achieved in their NART-entered Ferrari 250TR Fantuzzi Spyder 59, at the 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans (picture-above).

André Pilette (1918-1993), son of former Indy 500 participant Théodore Pilette, was a racing driver from Belgium. He participated in 14 Formula One Grand Prix and scored 2 points. His son Teddy Pilette also became a racing driver who had a brief stint in F1, but a successful career in F5000 and touring cars.

Ferrari was the clear favourite and won the race. Belgians Olivier Gendebien and Paul Frère won in their works Ferrari 250TR 60 at an average speed of 170.914 km/h, and their winning margin over the second placed crew was four laps, driven by Ricardo Rodriguez and André Pilette. Coming home third, a further four laps adrift, was 1959 winner Roy Salvadori with Jim Clark in their Aston Martin.