Ford escort MK1 Belkits,Yvette Fontaine 1970

[racer1]

The Ford Escort MK1 of Yvette Fontaine.

Yvette became interested in motor sport at the age of 14 when she lived with her parents close to the Zolder circuit and she watched the racing there at every opportunity.
After some experience in go-karting and national and international rallies she was ready for the action that she enjoyed the best and was most competitive in – the racing circuits.
In 1966 and 67 she drove for Alfa Romeo and carried off some fine victories. On these occasions her real talents began to show and it became clear that with the right backing she would achieve outstanding success.
This chance came in 1968 when Ford Belgium offered her a professional driver’s contract to defend their title as the Saloon Car Championship holders.
Having teamed her with Alain Dex and Gilbert Stapelaere, Ford didn’t have to wait long for results. With the fast Escort Twin Cam she carried off a number of important wins. At the Grand Prix circuit in Zolder she shattered Jacky Ickx’s lap record, and achieved class and group victories with ease and natural assurance. And later at the wheel of a single seater she demonstrated her competitiveness and flair to such a degree that her lap times were faster than drivers who were ten Formula one Grand Prix drivers.
Ford decided to invest her talents exclusively in the vital touring car class. The choice was a happy one – for at the wheel she dominated the male rivals who were out to prove their superiority.
In 1969 the young girl of 22 carried off the Belgian Saloon Car Championship – the one and only woman ever to have held a national racing drivers’ championship anywhere. This achievement that left the racing world gasping.
The following year she drove an Escort BDA 1840cc in the green and yellow colors of the Ford-BP racing team, which dominated the season. She was also given a contract to drive for Ford of Germany.
After that she won races by the dozen and broke World Speed records in the Ford Supervan in 1972, and helped the Ford Transit Diesel set three new World records in Monza in the same year.
In 1973 along with other top drivers of Europe she was selected by Jacky Stewart for Ford’s Record Breaking run at Monza where Ford cars took 13 national speed/durability records.
In 1974, she continues racing with Escort 1300 RS and Capri 3.0.
In 1975 she finished 11th general in the 24H of Le Mans in a Porsche G3. 3.0 with Charlotte Verney, and finishes 2nd general of the 24 H of Francorchamps on a BMW 3.0 CSI Group 1 with Pedro.
Yvette stopped with racing in 1976.

[afxracing]

Very nice. Are those wheels/tires from Fireball Modelworks?

[racer1]

I have made a design in solidworks for the tyres and wheels en let it 3D printing.

[corrrado]

Really nice build which represents well a very unique lady in the motorsport!

[rgriffs]

what a very nice model.

[reJI]

I've seen it already, but I say again ... very nice!

[indy1977tx]

Love the build and the history lesson.

Jordan