Pierre Leseur, honorary vice-president of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, passed away on 7 January this year at the age of 85. He was appointed as an ACO board member in 1970 and became a member of the steering committee in 1986. He was Deputy President from 1994 to 2008 then, from May 2008, honorary vice president. The ACO was keen to pay him a final tribute at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Test Day (Sunday 3 June). 

Just after midday, around twenty people gathered before the new starter’s platform, including ACO President, Pierre Fillon, and Pierre Leseur’s brother, Jacques. The latter, a former member of the steering committee and member of the Heritage Committee, paid a stirring tribute to his late brother. Pierre and Jacques Leseur both took part in the first ever Le Mans Classic event in 2002.

Pierre Fillon described a man who “when difficulties arose, would provide perspective and advice”. The ACO’s president recalled his “input to development projects and remarkable contribution to the creation of the American Le Mans Series and, more recently, the Club des Amis des 24 Hours”. 

In tribute of a man who “faithfully watched the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans every year for almost 70 years,” the starter’s platform has been given Pierre Leseur’s name. In all those years, Pierre only ever missed two races!

PHOTOS: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES DU MANS, 2018 TEST DAY. The Pierre Leseur starter’s platform.