Jacky ICKX

A Belgian driver

The son of a well-known car driver and journalist, Jacky Ickx was immersed in motorsports from an early age. He was already a formidable motorcycle rider at the age of 16, and began motor racing when he came of age. It was in 1966, at the age of 21, that the driver participated for the first time in the Le Mans 24 Hours. The same year, he already had the 24 Hours of Spa in his repertoire.

An eclectic driver par excellence, Jacky Ickx has forged an impressive track record, which combines all disciplines, and always done with brilliance! He won in the shootout at the end of a fight which opposed him until the last corners to the Porsche of Gérard Larrousse and Hans Hermann to seal his first victory at Le Mans in 1969. It was at the start of this same race that he chose to walk towards his car and take the time to get attached before setting off in last place. This protest marks the final year of the traditional 'Le Mans type' start where drivers raced to their cars which were positioned on the opposite side of the track. 

Jacky Ickx is the outright record holder for the number of victories in endurance events, with over fifty successes. The driver took part in the Le Mans event fifteen times, finishing third once, runner-up three times, and won on six occasions (1969, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1982). He therefore held the record for the number of victories for twenty-two years before being overtaken by Tom Kristensen in 2005. He remains the record holder for pole positions in the event, having qualified fasted in practice on five occasions. Jacky Ickx was voted driver of the century in 2000. 

It was in 1925 that the first fishbone start took place, which became the “Le Mans type” start after two events where the cars started in the order of their qualifying times. The runners and riders’ sprinting was the magic behind these spectacular starts albeit it was highly dangerous.