Charles James, soul of the Inaltera epic at Le Mans, has died

A bold project. In the 1970s, a new French car appeared on the starting grid of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Inaltera. A racing car built in just a few weeks in the colors of a wallpaper manufacturer from the Lyon region.

Behind this idea, a man. Charles James. For many observers, he is considered the soul of the Inaltera-Rondeau epic, says Christine Beckers, who announced his passing on December 24th. We had maintained affectionate and regular relations, my grief is immense, adds the Belgian.

Three participations, three finishes

From 1976, Inaltera participated in its first Le Mans classic. Two cars were lined up. And both completed the mythical 24-hour race. One, driven by Henri Pescarolo and Jean-Pierre Beltoise, finished the event in eighth place overall, first in the GTP category. The second, led by Jean-Pierre Jaussaud, Jean Rondeau, and Christine Beckers, was slightly further back with a third position in the same category.

For a debut participation, the project was therefore successful. The following edition was equally impressive. The three cars also made it to the finish with a new class victory in hand: Jean Ragnotti and Jean Rondeau completed the Sarthe event in fourth place overall. The duo Christine Beckers – Lella Lombardi followed in eleventh position, ahead of Al Holbert and Jean-Pierre Beltoise, who finished thirteenth.

Involved in the success of Jean Rondeau

Finally, for its swan song in 1978, the Inaltera completed the 24-hour race in thirteenth position with Swiss drivers André Chevalley and François Trisconi at the wheel.

If the Inaltera adventure ended in 1978, Charles James did not rest. Two years later, during Jean Rondeau’s historic success in his own car, the team’s sporting director had once again completed a mission.

His funeral will take place on December 31st at 2:00 PM at the church of Fontaines-Saint-Martin, in the Rhône.