The passing of Roger Dorchy at 78 years old brings back memories of a very different time at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Whilst Dorchy took part at Le Mans no fewer than 13 times, and finished on the podium in 1986 in class C2, his part in the racing history books was secured not over 24 hours, but over just six kilometres.
For it was on the 6 km Mulsanne Straight that he set the all-time top speed record at Le Mans at an astounding 407 km/h – 252 mph in a WM P88 Peugeot in 1988!
Hailing from Ferté-Saint-Samson in Northern France, his Le Mans career started in GT class Porsches from 1974 but his final ten starts were all with Gerard Welter’s plucky little WM outfit.
With two chicanes installed on the Hunaudieres in 1990, his record will never be beaten.
DSC joins the The Automobile Club de l’Ouest in extending our condolences to Roger Dorchy’s family and loved ones. His memory will live forever in endurance racing.
Photo top (Copyright – Christian Vignon/ACO)
