There is of course the prize list. Majestic and eclectic. Having raced in Formula 1 from 1967 to 1979, Jacky Ickx won six times and won two vice-world championship titles. But it is in endurance that he achieved the best results of his career, including six victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A record that would only be broken 23 years later! Not forgetting a success at the 24 Hours of Francorchamps and two at the 12 Hours of Sebring. However, it is Africa and more particularly the Paris-Dakar which left its mark on the pilot and the man. Winner of the most famous rally raid in 1983, his adventures in the sand will transform him forever.
But there is also the man with the outbursts. How can we not ignore the start of Le Mans 1969 with a legendary crossing of the Sarthe track which would sound the death knell for the kick-off with the drivers running towards their cars parked on the spur! Not to mention the legendary finale of this edition where he achieved his first success in the game of cat and mouse, but also the 1977 edition where he made a comeback with all the devils to win. Certainly his greatest victory. We also think of his sensational debut in Formula 1 where he inflicted a real lesson on the tenors at the wheel of a modest Matra F2 on the terrible Nürburgring.
The pilot naturally inspires respect with such a beautiful picture. But there is also man, of infinite class and wisdom. In the paddocks, all generations of fans recognize him and ask him for a selfie or an autograph. And Jacky always does so with pleasure, always exchanging a few oh-so-precious words with people. Because when Jacky speaks, we stay silent. You just have to attend the RACB Awards ceremony, where he takes the floor every year to say a few good words, to realize this.
With four times twenty springs under his belt, Jacky is not ready to leave the world of racing where he has played the role of ambassador for many actors for several years. In a few days, we will see him in the dunes of the Dakar where he will follow the caravan at the wheel of a Genesis SUV, the Korean brand of which he has been the standard bearer since 2024. Happy birthday, “Mr.X”!
