Charles Faroux

Lore & Background

Charles Faroux was born on 29 December 1872, the son of a sheep trader. He spent much time traveling until age 28, visiting the United States and spending several months in Alaska, where he first encountered journalism. Returning to France in 1900, he began working as a journalist for the automobile magazine l'Auto. A trained mechanical engineer, he became interested in automotive engineering and motorsport and also competed as a racing driver. In 1908 he participated in the Coppa Florio but broke down with a defect in his Motobloc model. During World War I, Faroux served in the French army and fought at the Battle of Verdun, later working as a technician for Hispano-Suiza, responsible for supplying aircraft engines.

Faroux became internationally known through the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which he established in 1923 with Georges Durand and Emile Coquille. Durand and Faroux developed the first set of technical regulations. For more than three decades, Faroux served as race director, often the last and many times the sole authority in deciding which team to race. Between 1929 and 1955, he was also a starter at the Grand Prix of Monaco.

Faroux was also one of the best carom billiards players of the 1900–1920s. He competed in his first world championship in 1905, placed second in 1907 and again in 1910, and won world titles in 1912 and 1919. In April 1926 he stated he would play in the world championships rather than the Targa Florio. He won his last world championship in 1927, after which he devoted all his time to motorsport. Faroux died in 1957 in Neuilly-sur-Seine near Paris.

Reader's Guide

Charles Faroux's significance lies in his dual mastery of two very different disciplines: motorsport administration and competitive carom billiards. As co-founder and race director of the 24 Hours of Le Mans from its inception in 1923 until 1956, he shaped one of the world's most famous endurance races. Along with Georges Durand and Emile Coquille, he established the event and co-wrote its first technical regulations. For over three decades, Faroux was the ultimate authority at Le Mans, often making final decisions on which teams could race. His long tenure gave the race continuity and a firm hand during its formative years. Beyond Le Mans, he served as a starter at the Grand Prix of Monaco from 1929 to 1955, further cementing his role in international motorsport.

Faroux's achievements in carom billiards are equally notable. He was a world champion in the discipline, winning titles in 1912, 1919, and 1927, and was a multiple-time runner-up. His willingness to prioritize billiards over motorsport—as when he chose the world championships over the Targa Florio in 1926—shows the genuine depth of his commitment to both fields. His legacy is that of a versatile competitor and administrator who helped define early motorsport while excelling at the highest level in another sport entirely.

Did You Know?

• Charles Faroux was a three-time world champion at carom billiards, winning titles in 1912, 1919, and 1927.
• He co-founded the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923 with Georges Durand and Emile Coquille.
• Faroux served as race director of the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1923 to 1956.
• He fought at the Battle of Verdun during World War I and later worked as a technician for Hispano-Suiza.