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Post by René on May 7, 2018 22:30:05 GMT
Today it's 36 years ago that my childhood hero Gilles Villeneuve lost his life in a Belgium hospital after a tragic qualifying accident. A dedicated thread to the little French-Canadian, one of the brightest stars our sport has ever seen. "My little Prince of destruction" as Enzo used to call him, or "Il piccolo aviatore". Let's celebrate his amazing career! Salut Gilles.  |
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Post by René on May 8, 2018 7:42:57 GMT
An incredible victory, the 1981 Spanish Grand Prix at Jarama.  |
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Post by René on May 8, 2018 15:17:03 GMT
How it all began. A young Gilles racing on a snowmobile. Those machines were fast, being very light and powerfull, they were capable of reaching 100mph on the snow.  "Every winter, you would reckon on three or four big spills — and I'm talking about being thrown on to the ice at 100 miles per hour. Those things used to slide a lot, which taught me a great deal about control. And the visibility was terrible! Unless you were leading, you could see nothing, with all the snow blowing about. Good for the reactions — and it stopped me having any worries about racing in the rain."
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Post by René on May 8, 2018 15:42:18 GMT
Of all the pictures, posters, books and scale models I have, this is my most precious motor racing item; Gilles's signature. He gave it to me in 1980 in the Zolder paddock. The signature is rather shaky as you can see but that is because he was running when he signed it! I had already collected quite a few autographs that day including Jody's but not Gilles. And then I saw him running through the paddock. I ran alongside him and asked in my best French for his autograph. He said something like "mais certainement, mais je suis pressé". He was late for the drivers meeting so he ran but still signed the little paper I gave him. I said "Merci beaucoup et bonne chance demain!" He laughed an ran further.  I was 15 and that is just a great memory for me which I will never forget!  |
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Post by robmarsh on May 8, 2018 17:17:24 GMT
Lovely story Rene. I would have been happy just to see him let alone talk to him. A great racer whose legacy and memories are far greater than the bare statistics would suggest.
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Post by chrisb on May 8, 2018 19:51:37 GMT
Rene that would be such a moment to treasure in anyone's life and something no one else could get close to, good on you - that was a wonderful tale, and the like i so enjoy reading, we all have our favourites and Gilles will always be in my top ten
but Gilles, is he more remembered for his bravery? than his brilliance, i will look back and remember the above or Monaco that year, and just loved it when he was out in front no frolics just brilliance - my favourite memory was practice for the USGP where he lapped so much faster than anyone else - as Jacques Laffitte said, 'he really is on a different level' and he was, a terrible loss and a great guy, I have Donaldsons book on GIlles which is ok, but I would really like a far more detailed book to appear, as a tribute to a great star
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Post by Carl on May 9, 2018 0:45:46 GMT
I am fortunate to have seen Gilles Villeneuve in both Formula Atlantic and Formula One. He was not the most disciplined, that would be Jackie Stewart, but certainly of the great drivers I've seen he was the most spectacular, his love of the sport overflowing into the grandstands. Normally in Formula Atlantic, and at times in Formula One, he simply drove away from everyone else.
He would likely have been world champion several times if not for virtues rare both then and now. His honor and loyalty helped his team leader throughout the 1979 season and kept him at Ferrari in lean years. Whether or not it was accurate, his perception of betrayal eclipsed further greatness.
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Post by mikael on May 9, 2018 2:17:15 GMT
"Every winter, you would reckon on three or four big spills — and I'm talking about being thrown on to the ice at 100 miles per hour ...."
He certainly had his share of serious accidents in F1 as well - with lucky escapes.  Fuji 1977  Imola 1980  Buenos Aires 1980 |
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2018 17:14:04 GMT
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Post by René on May 9, 2018 17:46:12 GMT
I am fortunate to have seen Gilles Villeneuve in both Formula Atlantic and Formula One. He was not the most disciplined, that would be Jackie Stewart, but certainly of the great drivers I've seen he was the most spectacular, his love of the sport overflowing into the grandstands. Almost always in Formula Atlantic and at times in Formula One, he simply drove away from everyone else. He would likely have been world champion several times if not for virtues rare then and now. His devotion to honor and his loyalty helped his team leader throughout the 1979 season and kept him at Ferrari in lean years. Accurate or not, his perception of betrayal eclipsed further greatness. Carl, a wonderful description of Gilles. "His love of the sport overflowing into the grandstands." This is exactly how it was for me. When I attended my first meeting at Zolder in 1979 I was already a Ferrari fan and I was a huge Jody Scheckter fan (still am). Jody won that race, his first for the Scuderia, which was wonderful but it was Gilles who stole the show and made me an instant fan. He had contact with Regga in the first lap and had to pit for a new wing so he was dead last. But he didn't give up and began a wonderful race overtaking someone almost every lap and the crowd was cheering him every time he passed another car. He came up to third but retired in the last lap when he ran out of fuel. He received a huge applause when he walked back to the pits. It was magic. Then a few month later I went to Zandvoort and Gilles was magic again. A wonderful dual with Jones that ended with the famous 'three wheel action' where he continued with his car falling apart, sparks and rubber flying around. Again the crowd was cheering and totally excited. That was Gilles, magic again. Jody finished a sensible second.  |
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Post by René on May 9, 2018 18:17:29 GMT
"Every winter, you would reckon on three or four big spills — and I'm talking about being thrown on to the ice at 100 miles per hour ...."
He certainly had his share of serious accidents in F1 as well - with lucky escapes. Oh absolutely Mikael. He was very lucky on several occasions. I was never sure if it was a complete lack of fear or a total self belief that made him take the risks he did. Probably both. There where certainly other drivers and team owners who thought he was crazy and took too many risks. But he could be so good, so fast with a car control out of this world it gave you shivers. He wasn't the most sensible, disciplined and calculated driver, not by far. But he was the purest racer you could imagine. I never idolized him but he was very special. As a race fan I was touched by his on-track actions. |
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Post by robmarsh on May 9, 2018 22:23:52 GMT
I think Rene, that had he got that third place at Zolder he may well have been champion. I can't remember the exact points difference.
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Post by charleselan on May 10, 2018 10:01:46 GMT
René,
To have Gilles autograph is a wonderful item to treasure, and to have exchanged words with him albeit very briefly.
As others have alluded to, he did leave a somewhat charmed life at times in his earlier days, however I did think that he was much calmer in 1981 especially seeing as he had to handle the tank of a car in the 126CK.
That Imola 1980 wreck was some crash, just amazing that he did not hurt himself in that one for the car is a complete basket case. The crash with Ronnie in Japan in 1977 was also huge, and again he was lucky to get away unscathed. But as they all say when Lady Luck is with you everything ends OK, but...........
JC
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Post by René on May 10, 2018 10:57:58 GMT
I think Rene, that had he got that third place at Zolder he may well have been champion. I can't remember the exact points difference. Rob, could be. I believe Gilles was leading the championship when they arrived in Belgium after his wins in Kyalami and Long Beach. I do know there was an agreement between the drivers whoever was leading the championship after Monaco would be the team leader for the championship. And it was Jody who won Zolder and Monaco and Gilles scored zero points. So it was kinda pre decided. |
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Post by René on May 10, 2018 11:01:52 GMT
René, To have Gilles autograph is a wonderful item to treasure, and to have exchanged words with him albeit very briefly. As others have alluded to, he did leave a somewhat charmed life at times in his earlier days, however I did think that he was much calmer in 1981 especially seeing as he had to handle the tank of a car in the 126CK. That Imola 1980 wreck was some crash, just amazing that he did not hurt himself in that one for the car is a complete basket case. The crash with Ronnie in Japan in 1977 was also huge, and again he was lucky to get away unscathed. But as they all say when Lady Luck is with you everything ends OK, but........... JC Oh I agree. Gilles's 1981 victories both showed exceptional racecraft and maturity. He was ready to win the 1982 title. How he ever survived that Imola crash remains a mistery! |
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I was 15 and that is just a great memory for me which I will never forget!
