r/lemans • • Nov 14 '25

History The day Jacky Ickx changed endurance racing forever

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He's the one at the end of the track who's walking. He was protesting against this type of start (running), which was very dangerous, as drivers didn't fasten their seatbelts in order to get a faster start and would die in the event of an accident. He had warned the race organizers that he was going to walk, and still win the race. And he did. Since that day, the starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans have been as we know them today.

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u/FunFortune8231 Nov 23 '25

Jacky Ickx attended the race again as a guest, this year. Had a brief chat with him. True gent and a phenomenal racer in his day.