This vintage sports film delivers a view of the 1977 Bol d’Or Le Mans race. The Bol d’Or is a grueling 24 hour endurance race held annually for motorcycle riders. The race is a part of the FFM endurance world championship. The winners of the race would be Christian Leon and Jean-Claude Chemarin; both riding the popular RCB100O Honda. These were highly successful motorcycles earning themselves the nickname: the Invincible Honda.

Opening shots peer down the raceway (:10). Tires are checked (:25). Mechanics perform final maintenance work prior to the races (:36). The Honda logo swings in (1:03). The film was created by the French filmmaker, Yves Rialland (1:15). Riders swing around the bend as the race begins (1:28). Maintenance work is performed in the pit (1:37). Riders stand by their motorcycles (1:57). Jean Claude Chemarin adjusts his cap (1:59). Leon is pictured under helmet (2:01). The camera angle runs under the Dunlop Tire (2:10). Announcements are heard in French. Signs point for the Bol d’Or (2:37). The narrator mentions the prominence of the race (2:37). Speedway riders Stan Woods; the Irish racer, and Charlie Wilson make up the British Honda team (2:57). The non-stop race continues for 24 hours (3:08). The Yamaha team’s time trumped the French Honda team Leon’s time (3:25). A close shot captures the green Kawasaki 1000 (3:39). The clock draws near to race time (3:51). About 175000 racing fans attend the show (3:59). Sixty riders race across the track (4:06). Riders begin to move towards the starting line (4:15). Pedestrians and news reporters cross the track (4:31). A rider moves past an advertisement for Dunlop tires (4:42). Slow motion footage show the riders bending along with their bikes over the course (4:59). Point of view footage follows (5:03). Jean Claude stands outside his trailer (5:13). Crowds shake bottles of champagne into the air (5:17). Tents and cars litter the lot (5:39). The camera zooms out providing a wide view of a portion of the course (5:50). Stamina of the riders and machines is discussed (5:57). Evening settles in (6:14); riders flick on their lights (6:14). Leon of Honda France holds the lead (6:17). The British Honda team follows close behind (6:26). Small stands sell goods around the outer rim of the track (6:28). A man roasts chickens over a hot flame for fans (6:35). Riders zip in for pit checks in the night (7:11). Headlights cut into the night (8:12) as the race continues. At 2:35 am, Leon of Honda (8:30) takes a pit stop for replacement parts (8:48). He jumps back in; Honda visible across his jacket (8:57). The dawn sky breaks the night over the stands (9:13). Riders continue for another twelve hours (9:17). They zoom around the track in the early morning hours (9:26). A fan smokes from under a blanket (9:32). Tires are cleaned by a Dunlop employee (10:21). The narrator mentions conditions for the 1977 race were considerably perfect (10:34). Drivers swing off for another pit stop (11:31). The Honda team appears (12:07). Aerial footage captures the view of the track from above (12:47). Gift stands sell motorcycle trinkets (13:09) and magazines. The final checkered flag is brought out (13:32) a four o’clock. The flag is waved and the race ends (13:37) crowds invade the track as part of Bol d’Or tradition (13:45). Honda is awarded the winner (14:08). A wide angle shows the crowds pouring in (14:13). Christian Leon and Jean-Claude celebrate the win (14:18). Champagne bottles erupt as a new long distance record had been set (14:28). Kawasaki takes third. The gold trophy is raised (14:43). The team celebrates as bouquets of flowers are brought in (14:52). The credit screen closes the film (15:04). It was a French Production (15:25). The notable Lucky Blondo; a French singer was featured in the film (15:14). Blondo performed with the Jordanaires.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com