After books dedicated to the centenary of the FFM, the Carole circuit and the Gueules de motards, the French Motorcycling Federation (FFM) unveils the last part of its quadriptych by publishing a work entitled “The golden age of French pilots in Grands Prix”.
Written by Zef Enault, the book obviously evokes the prosperous period from the 70s to the mid-80s during which French drivers were very numerous and successful in Grands Prix, as illustrated for example by the 250 title won by Christian Sarron in 1984.
The author returns in detail to this glorious presence of the French in the Continental Circus through the 5 chapters and 168 pages of a richly documented work, both in period photos and in anecdotes.
“Michel Rougerie, Patrick Pons, Christian Sarron, these names of French drivers stir images of a golden period in the minds of Grand Prix enthusiasts. Why talk about a golden age? Above all because the French were almost absent from motorcycle Grands Prix since their creation, in 1949, until the very end of the 1960s.
“The arrival of Japanese racing motorcycles intended for private pilots as well as profound modifications of the French company explain the enthusiasm of French pilots for racing from this period. This sudden enthusiasm, however, would never have happened without the ardor of a few men, to whom we pay homage in this work.”
“Throughout the 1970s, the French made their way to the heart of the Grands Prix.”
“They ended up appearing in numbers there between 1978 and 1984, in the 250 and 350 cc categories. These six years represent the climax of the golden age of French drivers in Grands Prix. A world champion title in the FIM 3 world championship, two others in the 750 world championship, an only French podium at the British GP in 250, several vice-world champion titles, France has never been so well represented in GP. Tragedy also cruelly marked this intense period.”
“From the mid-1980s, there were fewer French people on the starting grids, but they were not unworthy nonetheless. The years 2000 and 2010 saw the birth of four other French world champions in GP, including Johann Zarco, who gives here his point of view on this golden age.
