4eme criterium international de vitesse motocycliste 300-500 cm3 et essais des voitures des 24heures 1964

This striking 1964 poster by Beligond promotes the 4ème Critérium International de Vitesse Motocycliste (300–500 cm³), held on the legendary Circuit des 24 Heures on April 18–19, alongside the official practice sessions (essais) for the cars competing in the famed 24 Hours endurance race.

The composition is pure mid-century motorsport dynamism. A motorcycle rider leans aggressively into the frame in the foreground, while a vivid red sports car speeds away in the distance — a clever visual juxtaposition of two worlds sharing the same circuit. The diagonal brushstrokes and bold color contrasts convey velocity, danger, and mechanical intensity. Beligond’s expressive style emphasizes movement over precision, capturing the raw energy of racing rather than technical detail.

Prominently featured are the Shell logos, underscoring the growing importance of corporate sponsorship in 1960s motorsport. The event’s dual focus — motorcycle competition and automobile testing — highlights the circuit’s year-round prestige and its role as a proving ground for both two- and four-wheeled performance.

Typographically, the poster reflects the bold graphic language of the era: strong black lettering balanced with red accents, structured yet dynamic. The text clearly announces the categories (300–500 cm³) and the connection to the celebrated 24 Hours, reinforcing the event’s international appeal.

Today, this poster stands as a vivid testament to the golden age of European motorsport — when endurance racing, motorcycle speed trials, and major sponsors combined to create an electrifying spectacle. Beligond’s artwork captures not just an event, but the spirit of 1960s racing culture: fast, glamorous, and uncompromising.

Original Poster

Sport - Cars - Motorcycles - France

Shell

Printed by Thivillier in Paris

Good condition