Footnotes

When the Automobile Club de l'Ouest launched its daunting 24-Hour race at Le Mans in 1923, the organisers' original intention was for that individual race to be merely the first Heat of an ongoing test of motor manufacturing excellence. They were to award the Rudge-Whitworth Cup for a 'Bienniale' competition – decided after two 24-Hour races had been run, with a Coupe Trienniale planned to reflect the overall winner after three of the annual 24-Hour races. In practice, however, the individual winner of each 24-Hour race would bask in media glory immediately after each year's event had ended. The Coupe Bienniale was, however, continued. This outstandingly elaborate VII Coupe Bienniale trophy was presented to Earl Howe for his consistently successful performances at Le Mans in the 1930 and 1931 24-Hour races. The award of the Trophy reflects the fifth-place finish that the British nobleman shared with co-driver Leslie Callingham in their Alfa Romeo 1750 Gran Sport in the 1930 race, followed by the Earl's great victory in the second year of this particular Bienniale in 1931, when he co-drove his Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 with the celebrated British racing icon Sir Henry 'Tim' Birkin.