Belgian Triumph Works driver Claude Dubois's motor racing career spanned from 1956 to 1967, during which time he formed part of the famous team of Triumph TR3Ss that took on the mighty Le Mans 24 hour race in 1959. He competed at Le Mans a total of eight times in his career.
Born on December 26, 1932 in Brussels, Claude Dubois spent his childhood watching races and rallies. He bought a motorcycle first and took part in his first rally in 1953. Eventually, he saved up enough money to buy a used Panhard X87. Soon after however, his enjoyment of Triumph TRs would begin with the purchase of a brand new Triumph TR2 which he entered into motorsport competitions in Belgium.
Claude Dubois partnered Ninian Sanderson in the Triumph TR3S XHP 939 and lapped quickly and consistently until lap 114 when, after more than 9-hours of averaging over 100mph, it suffered from radiator failure when the fins were punctured by the cooling fan.
In 2016, Claude was re-united with a tribute to the original TR3S XHP 939 and had the opportunity to drive it once again at Le Mans Classic as part of the Millers Oils sponsored TR Register / Michael Cotti Racing Team that year, led by Paul Hogan.
Dubois was part of the National Belgian motorsports team which saw him pilot iconic cars such as the Porsche 550, Jaguar D-type, Lister-Jaguars and numerous Ferraris. In 1962, he drove a Ferrari 250 GTO on the Tour de France with Lucien Bianchi which saw them complete the event in 7th place having narrowly missed out on the win following an accident.
Claude Dubois returned to Le Mans, eventually taking a class win in 1962 in the Simca-Abarth 1300 alongside George Harris. 1964 saw him take victory in a Jaguar Mark 2 scooping the Spa Coupes Trophy. Later, he would become an importer to Europe of Shelby muscle cars and launched the Mustang 350 into Europe at Le Mans in 1967. It was 1967 that would also see him end his racing career, with a win, in a Shelby Cobra at Zandvort.
Claude Dubois was also an importer for Chrysler and De Tomaso with a Pantera finishing Le Mans bearing his name in 1972, finishing 16th with Jean-Marie Jacquemin and Yves Deprez at the wheel.
Condolences to the many fans and friends of Claude Dubois and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time. A legend lost.
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