1963 Le Mans 24 hrs
24 Heures du Mans |
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Le Mans |
June 15-16, 1963 |
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Porsche System Engineering |
w/Koch |
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Porsche 356B 2000 GS GT (122-992) |
No: 29 |
Q: 28 |
R: DNF |
C: GT20 |
With 48 entrants it was the smallest starting field at Le Mans for several years and Ferrari was again the make to beat. De Beaufort was entered in a works Porsche 356B 2000 GS Carrera GT with Gerhard Koch in the GT2000 class, along with the sister car of Schiller/Pon, two other Porsches and a MG-B. Carel qualified 28th and during the opening hours he made the mistake of missing his pit box, being forced to push back his car for a couple of metres.
During the race Carel's old Le Mans team mate Bino Heins crashed his Alpine, the car caught fire and the Brazilian died in the flames.
Just before midnight the engine of the Porsche broke down and De Beaufort was out of the race. Scarfiotti/Bandini crossed the finish line as the first of no less than six Ferraris in front. The GT2000 class was won by Barth/Linge in a Porsche WRS Spyder.
