#0565 Roundeau M379

Le Mans 24 Hours 1980

#16
Jean Rondeau / Jean Pierre Jaussaud
1st place overall, 1st place in S+2.0 category

The start of the 1980 Le Mans 24 Hours is listed in the record books as one of the rainiest. Early on, Jean Rondeau had two of his Le Mans-built M379 cars in the top ten – and by nightfall his #16 car was in the lead. On the following laps the lead shifted in favor of the open cockpit Porsche 908/80 driven by Ickx/Jöst, but the Ford Cosworth DFV engine proved surprisingly trouble free in the rondeau in contrast to the usually so reliable Porsches. In the final hour, after setbacks, Ickx regained control of the again leading Rondeau, now driven by Jassaud. Despite a spin in the wet on the last lap, Ickx was unable to catch the rondeau. For the first time a driver won with the car that bore his own name.