With Jack Deam, John Fitch. Le Mans 55 is a short film inspired by historical events. In 1955, during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a sports car careered into the crowd and killed over 80 people. It tells the story of the tragedy at the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans through the eyes of Mercedes the team principle Alfred Neubauer. Le Mans 1955 – Deadly Competition is an animated short film by Q. Baillieux and his team. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, 1955. Directed by Richard Heap. Exploring the personalities and technology involved in the 1955 Le Mans disaster, which cost the lives of 83 spectators. A major crash caused large fragments of debris to fly into the crowd, killing 83 spectators and French driver Pierre Bouillin (who raced under the name Pierre Levegh) and injuring nearly 180 more. The 1955 Le Mans disaster occurred during the 24 Hours of Le Mans motor race at Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France on 11 June 1955. It is 6:00 PM when Pierre Levegh's car ploughs into the spectator stands, scattering the crowd with his car engine's hot debris. 300.000 spectators are watching from the sidelines. Le Mans 55 is a short film inspired by historical events. In 1955, during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a sports car careered into the crowd and killed over 80 people.