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Yvette
Fontaine
Yvette
became interested in motor sport at the age of 14 when she
lived with her parents close to the Zolder circuit and she
watched the racing there at every opportunity.
After some experience in go-karting and national and international
rallies she was ready for the action that she enjoyed the
best and was most competitive in – the racing circuits.
In 1966 and 67 she drove for Alfa Romeo and carried off
some fine victories. On these occasions her real talents
began to show and it became clear that with the right backing
she would achieve outstanding success.
This chance came in 1968 when Ford Belgium offered her a
professional driver’s contract to defend their title as
the Saloon Car Championship holders.
Having teamed her with Alain Dex and Gilbert Stapelaere,
Ford didn’t have to wait long for results. With the fast
Escort Twin Cam she carried off a number of important wins.
At the Grand Prix circuit in Zolder she shattered Jacky
Ickx’s lap record, and achieved class and group victories
with ease and natural assurance. And later at the wheel
of a single seater she demonstrated her competitiveness
and flair to such a degree that her lap times were faster
than drivers who were ten Formula one Grand Prix drivers.
Ford decided to invest her talents exclusively in the vital
touring car class. The choice was a happy one – for at the
wheel she dominated the male rivals who were out to prove
their superiority.
In 1969 the young girl of 22 carried off the Belgian Saloon
Car Championship – the one and only woman ever to have held
a national racing drivers’ championship anywhere. This achievement
that left the racing world gasping.
The following year she drove an Escort BDA 1840cc in the
green and yellow colors of the Ford-BP racing team, which
dominated the season. She was also given a contract to drive
for Ford of Germany.
After that she won races by the dozen and broke World Speed
records in the Ford Supervan in 1972, and helped the Ford
Transit Diesel set three new World records in Monza in the
same year.
In 1973 along with other top drivers of Europe she was selected
by Jacky Stewart for Ford’s Record Breaking run at Monza
where Ford cars took 13 national speed/durability records.
In 1974, she continues racing with Escort 1300 RS and Capri
3.0.
In 1975 she finished 11th general in the 24H of Le Mans
in a Porsche G3. 3.0 with Charlotte Verney, and finishes
2nd general of the 24 H of Francorchamps on a BMW 3.0 CSI
Group 1 with Pedro.
Yvette stopped with racing in 1976.
  
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