Our column is dedicated today to Alain de Cadenet. Born in London, he has French origins as his father was a French lieutenant in the French Air Force. As a driver, he has raced at Le Mans 15 times -including seven races with Chris Craft as teammate- ; he is 32nd in the list of drivers with most Le Mans races and fourth in the British rankings,, behind Derek Bell, Andy Wallace and David Hobbs.

He has been too a manufacturer, entering first en 1972 and 1973 a Duckhams LM based on a Brabham chassis, then from 1974 De Cadenet-Lolas and De Cadenet LMs. The last De Cadenet racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been seen in 1983.

He is part of the craftsmen who have contributed in building the Le Mans legend, fighting with factory teams, being sometimes on the podium (as Yves Courage, as a driver and a manufacturer in 1987, and as a manufacturer in 1995, as Alain de cadenet himself, third in 1976, as a driver and as a manufacturer), and even winning overall once, as Jean Rondeau in 1980, partnered by Jean-Pierre Jaussaud.

Alain de Cadenet has agreed to answer a few questions and we thank him for that. He is currenly resting after an accident and we wish him a swift recovery.

Alain, first of all, the legend says that you have not started racing because you liked motorsport, but that you have started racing for women ! Is it true or is it merely a rumor ?

« My girlfriend went out with a racing driver. I lost her and decided to go racing. »

You had started your international career by founding a Formula 1 team, Evergreen. Why did you give up Formula 1 ?

« I had insufficient funds to buy enough engines and to pay for rebuilds etc. »

Your first Le Mans race was in 1971, with Hugues De Fierlant, behind the wheel of a Ferrari 512M. What was the position of the Ferrari before its retirement ? What did you think of this 1971 race and of the event ?

« I am not sure but we were well up there (the Ferrari was in seventh place before its retirement due to clutch problems). I only had one eye working until sometime after midnight (Less than a moth before Le Mans, Alain de Cadenet’s Lola crashed in the Targa Florio. The car burst into flames and fortunately the driver was pulled out by a Sicilian ). We had a wonderful car and I loved the race. Especially when my left eye started working ! »

Had your French origins an influence upon your passion for Le Mans ?

« I think so. It was always important to the Brits to race there but just as important to the French. I had a double reason for going. »

By the end of 1971, you have decided to race with a car of your own. It was first the Duckhams LM. If I am not mistaken, it was based to the Brabham BT33 chassis that had run in the USA GP . How did you manage to build the Duckhams LM?

« It was a miracle that the car got built at all. It was a magnificent drawing from Gordon Murray, and experienced mechanics and will power got it built. »

In 1974, you had entered the first De Cadenet prototype at Le Mans for Chris Craft and John Nicholson. But you did not drive yourself ? Why ? Had the car the Duckhams chassis or was it already based on a Lola chassis ?

« I did qualify the car and was going to drive it during the race as reserve driver. It broke, twice, so I never got a run in the race. »

Why did you become a car manufacturer ?

« Because no driver had yet designed a car, built a car and driven it to victory at Le Mans. I wanted to be the first to do that. I told Jean Rondeau what I wanted to do! »

Since 1974 , how many de Cadenet chassis have run at Le Mans ? Which one was the more de Cadenet and, of course, the less Lola ?

« Don’t know the answer to the first bit. The 1975 car was a lot of Lola with modification to suspension, brakes and body from me. The 1976 car had a revised chassis too. From 1977 we built the chassis completely and the only Lola part was the uprihts used on the suspension. »

You have been on the podium in 1976, with a third place, partnered by Chris Craft. I guess that it is maybe your best Le Mans memory…, Can you say some words about Chris Craft ?

« We never got on the podium as we didn’t know where it was and nobody came to get us. Chris Craft was a gifted driver, brave and most able and most importantly a wonderful person to have in the team and to drive with. »

After entering the De Cadenet Lolas or De Cadenet LMS , you have raced three times with Yves Courage and his cars (below, Alain de Cadenet between Yves Courage and Jean-François Yvon, the line-up of the Cougar C12 at Le Mans in 1985) . Was it because he was too a manufacturer, as yourself ?

« He was trying to do the same as me even though Jean Rondeau had already done it. He made lovely cars and we even went testing with Michelin at Clermont. His cars were beautifully manufactured and he had a great aerodynamicist and good mechanics. »

There are no more craftsmen, as you and Yves Courage were in the 70s and the 80s, at Le Mans ? Do you regret it ? Was it really a charm for Le Mans in this era ?

« That’s true. Modern machinery needs modern technology. That costs a fortune. Look at Porsche and Audi. If you cannot do as well as they do then you come last! »

Before 1981, you had raced with a teammate only and then with two drivers. Was a two drivers lineup much diffrent than a three drivers lineup ? Was it much more challenging ?

« I preferred the 2 driver set up although you got more rest with three drivers. «

I know that you are a big car collector ? How many have you ? What are your favourite ones ?

« I’m not really a collector but I do try to use the cars. Alfa Romeo is my favourite make and I’ve had my 8C for nearly 50 years. »

We can see each two years some Duckham’s or De Cadenet at Le Mans during Le Mans Classic (below, Jacques Nicolet behind the wheel of a Duckhams). Would you like to drive one in this event ?

« They seem to do well when they run and I like to see them out there. No need to race them today. I did it when they were new! »

In conclusion, what does Le Mans represent for you ?

« Le Mans has played a very important part in my life. It scared the hell out of me first year and then with driving and building cars to race there, doing the TV commentary for a few years and then doing the Classic a few times I do not seem able to keep away from the place! I always found the local people to be the most helpful. Even the guys working in the industrial shops would help me out as much as possible. They all loved Le Mans too. «

Special thanks to Christian Vignon and Luc Joly for their pictures.