Le Mans West

[Marco]

Although on the edge and - as Terry will tell us not in the care of the CWGC - still unusual:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~aur/Cemeteries/LEMANSGRANDC.htm

Kind regards,

Marco

[ianw]

Interestingly Tom Cole was, I think, an American citizen but with a connection to the UK in that he was overall 3rd at Le Mans in 1950 in a British car. He was killed in a Ferrari 340.

[Take on me]

This might best be taken to Skindles. But I decided I would see what I could find.

Tom Cole jr was indeed a US citizen and came third in 1950 in an Allard completing 251 laps. During the following two years he failed to finish, coming 35th each time. He was killed in a Ferrari 340 in, what according to the wikipedia article, were the 'latter stages of the race'. His car had done 175 laps and the very lowest finishing car achieved 218, so there were probably a few hours left.

Terrible events like this always remind me of Steve McQueen's line in the movie Le Mans (it was pretty much his only one!) 'This is a professional bloodsport. And it can happen to you. And then it can happen again'.

I think that he must have been one of the first Americans to race there, and, in spoting terms, there is certainly a debt to him for that.

Jon