Pioneering female racer returns with historic Chevron Ford Escort
Revisiting a classic period in European motorsport, trailblazing female racer Yvette Fontaine has teamed up with a replica of her beloved Chevron Ford Escort, 45 years after her landmark victory with the car.
Featuring the correct period Chevron graphics, the faithful recreation of the original Ford Escort Twin Cam, along with its renowned driver, appeared in a number of historic car events across Belgium this summer
Back in 1968, the Ford Escort was launched to critical acclaim, and Ford of Europe was on the lookout for a female racing driver to compete with and promote the model. As a result Yvette was offered a professional driver’s contract, following her two promising seasons in circuit racing. Using the fast Escort Twin Cam the Ford team chalked up a number of important wins, in everything from international rally events through to sprints and touring car races.
In 1968 the Caltex oil and lubricant company decided to rebrand its products under the globally famous Chevron name. As a result the Ford Chevron Racing Team was born, with Yvette now concentrating on the high-profile touring car class.
It turned out to be a highly successful year, with the team winning five national championship titles which included the 22-year-old Yvette taking the Belgian Saloon Car Championship. This brought huge publicity to Ford and Chevron, as well as Yvette and the team, especially as they were competing in men’s championships. To this day Yvette remains the only female to win the championship.
Following her triumph with the Ford, Yvette went on to greater racing success, which including competing in two Le Mans endurance races – her best result was an 11th overall position in the 1975 event.
The recreation of the famous fast Ford is the work of garage owner and aficionado Albert Smeets. With experience of rebuilding historic race cars, the Ford Escort took Albert and his team over 2500 hours to build. This included upgrading the original chassis to Group 4 specification, boring the modified Ford Pinto engine out to 2195cc and fitting twin downdraft Weber carburettors. The suspension and brakes were also modified, with bigger, more effective callipers and upgraded Bilstein dampers suited to Tarmac driving. Unlike the original Escort, the modern recreation is left hand drive.
The car made its public debut, along with Yvette, at an Oldtimer car enthusiast meeting in the town of Peer, in Belgium, where it proved a big hit with enthusiasts and racing fans.
Yvette was delighted to be teamed with an Escort again. “I think this car looks even better than the one in 1969 did,” explains Yvette. “We contacted Chevron to ensure we had exactly the right shade of blue and red. It’s amazing how faithful this car is to the original. The response from fans and those in the historic car business has been amazing and we’re looking forward to displaying the car at other events.”
The pair had a busy summer ahead and appeared at numerous venues, including the Ford Oldtimer event, August 9 in Zonhoven, Belgium; and the Skylimit Super Sunday, August 10 at the Zolder race track, Belgium.
ENDS
For more information please contact Matt Sanger at Automotive PR 020 7952 1079 or msanger@automotivepr.com.
