Mirage’s economy run

The 1975 24 Hours of Le Mans took place on 14 and 15 June 1975. This edition was considered by many as the “Le Mans Economy Run”, because of stringent refuelling regulations put in place.

Ferrari and Alfa Romeo thus withdrew from the event and Matra had retired from endurance racing at the end of 1974. This left only Gulf Mirage and Ligier as front-running works-teams.

Picture above: The two Gulf-Mirage GR8 of Ickx (and Bell) and Schuppan (and Jaussaud), are leading the race in the early stages of the 1975 Le Mans 24 Hours.

The race was won by Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell in their JWA-entered Gulf-Mirage GR-8, finishing just a lap ahead of the Ligier JS2 of Jean-Louis Lafosse and Guy Chasseuil (picture below), an excellent result for the small French manufacturer.