We hesitated to publish this article because it does not directly concern the world of motorcycles…
But, beyond any sectarianism, the subject concerns motor sports and, above all, it is a magnificent human story.
Saturday, Frederic Sausset will take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In other words, a name unknown to the general public, which is hardly surprising for a race mixing drivers and factory cars with gentlemen drivers.
But what can be a real life lesson for all of us is that the man is a quadruple amputee. Do not be scarred by words; he has no more arms and no more legs!
Let's quickly return to this incredible adventure.
In 2012, Frédéric Sausset, then aged 44, suffered a scratch during his vacation in the Landes. This happens to everyone, except he contracts a bacteria (streptococcus A). In very rare cases, the bacteria emits deadly toxins causing necrosis. Death, a sort of gangrene, then progresses at a phenomenal speed of 12cm per hour. This is the case and the man falls into a coma. When he wakes up, he discovers his body amputated of all four limbs. Shock!
Then the incredible reaction: “When you have a serious disability, you either stay on the sofa in front of the TV all day and let yourself die, that's how it would have ended, or you set yourself a huge goal. The 24 Hours of Le Mans was so legendary. Some people told me to go for it, saying to themselves that I had no chance of making it.”
The man then undertakes the impossible, by exposing his project to various endurance stakeholders, starting with Christophe Tinseau, experienced endurance driver, via the ACO, ending up with the boss ofAudi in Endurance, Doctor Wolfgang Ullrich. This money gives him three engines and lots of advice to start the adventure. The statement seems so crazy that, ultimately, everyone supports it.
The car, a modified Morgan LMP2, is built and then approved with its adaptations to the man's handicap. To accelerate and brake, two hoists are installed under his thighs and connected to the pedals by two metal rods. A prosthesis, attached to his right arm, is attached to the steering wheel using a screw while the gears are shifted via an automatic transmission. Finally, its seat is equipped with a spring system to be ejected in the event of an accident. Blue lights indicate to competitors when Frédéric Sausset is at the wheel.
The latter already took part in several Endurance races last year and all the drivers now know him. And everyone obviously admires him to the highest degree.
Tomorrow, Frédéric Sausset will not start the race, leaving it to one of his two teammates, but he will carry out his relays afterwards.
So, if you have a little back pain or a slight migraine, don't hesitate to think of Mr. Frédéric Sausset, installed in the seat of his Morgan-Nissan #84 on the legendary Sarthe circuit at Le Mans...
Respect, Mr. Sausset!
