financial pressure of business downturn and the purchase of Bignan forced the company to close in 1929. The SARA of Duval/Mottet was the one nominated for the Biennial Cup. It was delayed through the middle of the race but they made up time to make their target by the slimmest of margins – calculated by the ACO as only 35 metres on its last lap. In contrast, SCAP lost both their cars in the last few hours, just short of their required distances. Despite launching a larger 2.3-litre car, within a year the company had closed. After much success in the mid-1920s Salmson closed its racing team in 1929 on this high note, as the grand prix cars were getting outdated and the company was moving out of the crowded fast sports-car market. Unfortunately BNC had invested in larger passenger cars, which did not sell. Bollack and Natter were forced out of their own company at the end of the year when it was bought by businessman Charles de Ricou. Official results Finishers Results taken from Quentin Spurring's book, officially licensed by the ACO Although there were no official engine classes, the highest finishers in unofficial categories aligned with the Index targets are in Bold text. Did Not Finish Note *: [B]= car also entered in the 1927-8 Biennial Cup. Note **: There were no official class divisions for this race. These are unofficial categories (used in subsequent years) related to the Index targets. Did Not Start 1927-28 Coupe Biennale Rudge-Whitworth 1928 Index of Performance (Prix Saint-Didier) Note: Only the top ten positions are included in this set of standings. Highest Finisher in Class Note *: setting a new class distance record. There were no official class divisions for this race and these are the highest finishers in unofficial categories (used in subsequent years) related to the Index targets. Statistics Fastest lap – H. Birkin, #3 Bentley 4½ Litre – 8:07secs; Winning distance – Winner's average speed – Citations References Clarke, R.M. - editor (1998) Le Mans 'The Bentley & Alfa Years 1923–1939' Cobham, Surrey: Brooklands Books Clausager, Anders (1982) Le Mans London: Arthur Barker Ltd Fox, Charles (1973) The Great Racing Cars & Drivers London: Octopus Books Ltd Laban, Brian (2001) Le Mans 24 Hours London: Virgin Books Spurring, Quentin (2015) Le Mans 1923-29 Yeovil, Somerset: Haynes Publishing External links Racing Sports Cars – Le Mans 24 Hours 1928