three Peugeot Darl'Mat 402 DS during the 24 hours of Le Mans
Drivers and mechanics posing with three Peugeot Darl'Mat 402 DS during the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1938 (Archives Terre Blanche/Photononstop)
Car ProfilesPeugeotRacecar ArticlesVintage Car Racing

The Rich History of Peugeot and Le Mans

A look back at Peugeot Le Mans racers over the years

Avatar photoGlen Smale

Images courtesy of Glen Smale, Peugeot Motorsport, and Archives Terre Blanche/Photononstop

On 26-27 May 1923, the first Le Mans 24 Hours event was held, or the Grand Prix d’Endurance de 24 Heures, as it was called in France. In the early years, it was not a race as such, but an endurance contest to test the durability and reliability of production-based vehicles that could be purchased by the public. 

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Glen Smale
South African-born Smale started his professional motor journalism and photography career back in 1994, but if truth be told, Glen has had a driving passion for all things motoring since a tender age. In 1997, Glen launched Autosport & Classics, a classic motoring and historic motorsport magazine covering the local scene in SA. Two years later, having sold his share in the magazine. Between 2004 and 2016 Smale has authored thirteen books covering sports cars and motor racing. In 2007 he received the Laurin and Klement ‘Design Writer of the Year’ award for his book Jaguar E-type: Portrait of a Design Icon. In 2012 his book, Porsche at Le Mans: 60 Years of Porsche Participation in the World’s Greatest Motor Race, was shortlisted in the British Sports Book Awards. Of his thirteen books, no less than seven have been on Porsche cars, perhaps suggesting where his passion lies. Glen first started writing for the only magazine dedicated entirely to the Porsche 911, namely Total 911, as far back as 2005 and still contributes to this magazine on a regular basis. He has also written for the well-known Porsche magazines in America, Excellence, for a number of years. In addition to this, Glen has contributed to the Porsche Club of North America monthly publication, Panorama, as well as a host of other titles over the years in Europe, the UK and South Africa. Away from the race track, Glen was an aspiring golfer in his younger days and represented his province in the under-18 age group for a number of years. He went on to win his University Championships and represented Rhodes University for five years, as well as playing club league golf for ten years. With both children now out of the house and working, Glen lives with his lovely German wife, Elke, in the beautiful county of Carmarthenshire in West Wales. Glen has been a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers since 1995.
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