André Lagache Explained

André Lagache
Nationality: French
Birth Date:21 January 1885
Birth Place:Pantin, Île-de-France
Death Place:Satory, Île-de-France
Years:
Team(S):Chenard et Walcker
Best Finish:1st
Class Wins:1

André Ernest Paul Lagache (21 January 1885 – 2 October 1938)[1] was a French racing driver who, along with René Léonard, won the inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans in .[2]

Career

Lagache and Léonard were engineers at automobile manufacturer Chenard et Walcker, and were chosen to drive their "Sport" model in the inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans. The duo drove a distance of 2209km (1,373miles) over 24 hours and beat another Chenard-Walcker by a four lap margin. Lagache continued to run Le Mans for Chenard et Walcker for the next two years, but was unable to finish the event again.

Lagache also raced a Chenard-Walcker in the inaugural Spa 24 Hours in 1924, finishing second alongside André Pisart. He returned with Léonard to win the event in 1925, and finished third with Léonard in 1926.

Lagache won the in 1925 and 1926.

He was one of the founders of the tractor manufacturer FAR, and supplied the A to the company name. He was killed in an accident while demonstrating a vehicle in front of army officials in 1938.

Racing record

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

YearTeamCo-DriversCarClassLaps
1923 Chenard-Walcker SA René LéonardChenard-Walcker
Type U3 15CV Sport
3.01281st1st
1924 Chenard-Walcker SA René LéonardChenard-Walcker
Type U 22CV Sport
5.026DNF
(Fire)
1925 Chenard-Walcker SA René LéonardChenard-Walcker
Type U 22CV Sport
5.090DNF
(Engine)

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Motorsport Memorial - André Lagache . 5 May 2024 . Motorsport Memorial.
  2. Web site: André Lagache. motorsportmagazine.com. Motor Sport Magazine. 16 April 2018.