By

Marius Matthee

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Part 1: Early Adventures

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The year was 1944 and France was still very much caught in the grip of the Second World War. It had reached a stage where the lives of so many people had been changed forever by the turmoil and tragedy of the previous five years. The effect that the war had on the country was visible almost everywhere. However, 9 August turned out to be a very happy summers day at the homestead of the Depailler family in Clermont-Ferrand, a town in the northern tip of the Massif Central. On that day, Marcel and Paule Depailler became the very proud parents of a baby boy. They already had two daughters at the time, so the birth of their son was most certainly a reason for big celebration. Baby Depailler was promptly given an impressive string of names - Patrick, André, Eugène, Joseph.

Little Patrick spent his earliest days of childhood at home in the company of his mother and sisters, while his father provided the family with a steady income while being employed as an architect at the local town council. Patrick turned out to be a rather shy, but also a lively and adventurous boy. The Depaillers and their young children would spend their weekends and many happy hours of their free time in the lush Auvergne region that had so much to offer, with its tranquil planes, ancient volcanoes, numerous rivers and harsh mountains.

With the early days of infant life gone so soon, it was time for Patrick to attend the local school. As it turned out to be, school proved to be somewhat of a burden for the new student. At first he struggled with the schoolwork. Maybe it was his ever-existing quest for adventure that made spending the many hours in a classroom, as well as the schoolwork itself, such an arduous task. Only later, when he was about ten years old, it was discovered that he had a serious eye defect. He could only see and thereby interpret part of a written sentence. This was found to be the main reason for his non-performance in academic matters. Following this diagnosis, he had to wear glasses until the problem eventually corrected itself. After that he caught up quickly with his schoolwork, although he never was a threat for the serious academicals amongst his peers. In later years, following the completion of his school career, Patrick attended college and eventually qualified as a dental technician. The dental technician's diploma was probably obtained following some encouragement from his parents and sister, Chantal. She followed the same course with success and actually later spent many years working in this profession - something Patrick never did. At one stage in his live he even considered becoming a pastry chef, in the good old French tradition. A career in automotive engineering was also an option for the young man that he thought about.

It was actually during his early teens that Patrick developed a passionate interest in engines and motorbikes in particular. This was a passion he would treasure for the rest of his life. His first mode of transport was a small Vélosolex and a bigger Mobylette later substituted this. Legend has it that his grandmother was actually his first sponsor, since it was she that provided the money for Patrick's first bikes. Many an hour was spend in the garage at home, which functioned as a small workshop and where he would strip down the bike and engine. The ultimate aim of this ritual was to find that extra bit of speed and power from the little motorcycle. Patrick, the shy boy that he was at the time, found much more pleasure from working on his motorbike than anything else. It was difficult for him to communicate with people, due to his shyness and his flamboyant style of riding his motorcycles was a way of projecting himself to the outside world.

In 1958 the Clermont-Ferrand road racing circuit was established on the outskirts of the town. This magnificent 8 km circuit, that used public roads, was like a mini-Nürburgring with endless twists and turns. This circuit was a big attraction for Patrick and he would find great pleasure by repeatedly riding his motorbike through the twisting corners on certain sections of the circuit - already he had built a reputation as somewhat of a daredevil amongst his friends. It was also here that he got his first true taste of the motorsport world, even though none of his family members had any interest in the sport. The French 250cc Motorcycle Grand Prix was first held at the Clermont-Ferrand circuit in 1961, with great riders like Mike Hailwood and Jim Redman taking part in this race. This surely made a big impression on the youngster and could also have been the ultimate persuasion for him to take up motorcycle racing.

His first taste of the sport was towards the end of 1962. Patrick had the opportunity to ride a 500cc Norton 88 SS, which belonged to a friend, at a wet Monthléry circuit. In the treacherous conditions he finished second. When Patrick eventually made the decision in 1963 to go motorcycle racing, it was without the knowledge of his parents. His first tentative steps in the sport were on a 50cc Benelli that he had bought earlier. The first race that he entered was a national round of the 50cc class at Clermont-Ferrand. From the start he displayed his special talent and determination. Patrick did well on the Benelli, that he prepared himself, to finish third in the race. After the race none other than Jean-Pierre Beltoise approached him. Beltoise was a multiple French motorcycle champion at the time. He was standing at one of the corners of the circuit, where he witnessed Patrick's superb riding technique. Beltoise was very impressed by the young privateer and his compliments meant wonders for the shy rider. It motivated Patrick to continue his motorcycle racing activities.

In the autumn of 1963 his racing activities were put on ice. He was called up to do military service and subsequently spend six months in military units all over France. Although military service temporarily interrupted his continuation in the sport, Patrick had already made the decision that this is what he really wanted to do in life, even though he did not have money or any assistance in this regard. His good performances in the early races were enough to convince him that he could make a success in racing.

The year 1964, though, saw him first ventured into a different form of motorsport - car racing. It was during his final month of military service in March of that year, that Patrick was shown an article in a magazine. The French monthly motorsport journal, Sport Auto, announced in their March edition a plan to give some new life to French motorsport. The "Operation Jeunesse" was born with the idea of finding young talents for the future. It was a single make championship that utilised Lotus Sevens, powered by 1600cc Ford Corsair engines. Ford purchased twenty Lotus Sevens in kit form and donated it to each of the regional automobile clubs in France. Each team was then responsible for preparing, maintaining and entering their car for the championship under the banner of their particular province. The Opération Jeunesse incorporated two competitions, namely the Coupe des Provinces circuit races and also the Trophée de la Montagne that consisted of Hill Climb events.

The response to the magazine article was phenomenal and thousands of hopeful entries were received from each province, which made the selecting process for the drivers an extremely difficult task. The Automobile Club d'Auvergne nominated Patrick Depailler to represent them in this competition after a preliminary test was held. His experience and achievements in motorcycle racing, up to that time, was probably enough reason to convince them that he was the right candidate.

On 19 July 1964 he made his debut in the Coupe des Provinces competition behind the wheel of the Lotus Super Seven at his home circuit in Clermont-Ferrand. He surely lived up to the expectations of the locals and also the officials of the Automobile Club d'Auvergne, since he finished the race in an excellent second place. Shortly afterwards he was rewarded with yet another second place at Cognac, and also a third at Albi. Patrick first success came on 31 August 1964 at the Chamrousse Hill Climb event. On that day he set the fastest time of all the competitors in this event. Two further Trophée de la Montagne climbs followed. At the Côte d'Urcy Patrick came fifth, while at Limonest he set second fastest time.

In his fourth Coupe des Provinces event, at the Parisian circuit Monthléry, he climbed onto the top step of the winner's podium for the first time after a motor race. Henri Pescarolo, who also made his motor racing debut in the "Operation Jeunesse" , still has reason to remember this race at Monthléry. Patrick made a lightning fast start, but out braked himself going into the first corner. Pescarolo and another driver were shunted off in the process. Depailler recovered quickly, though, and overhauled all the other cars to take the victory in grand style.

Following his successes in the Coupe des Provinces races, Patrick was hoping that this would open some new doors for him to a brighter future in motorsport. However, the winter of 1964/65 was a time of despair that dragged on forever, or so it seemed. No offers or opportunities came his way. In one such moment of total despair, Patrick decided to call upon Jean-Pierre Beltoise for advice. This was a desperate move, since he was still the shy and reserved person that found it difficult to ask people for help. It proved to be a bold and decisive move in the end.

A few weeks later he received a letter from a certain Monsieur Valentin, which was domiciled in Lyon. After Patrick's desperate plea for help, Beltoise made contact with Valentin , who again contacted the man from Clermont-Ferrand. When Patrick visited Valentin in Lyon, shortly afterwards, he was shown an old Norton 500 Manx with an offer to ride it in a few races. Without hesitation Patrick accepted the offer, since he saw it as the only opportunity he had to continue his racing career. The motorcycle suffered numerous mechanical failures during the races, but Patrick never failed to give his best at all times - a trademark he would carry throughout his career.

After a few races on the Norton, Beltoise again entered the picture. Jean-Pierre was unable to compete in motorcycle races due to a very serious accident he had suffered during the previous year's Reims 12 Hour race. Patrick's steady performances on the old Norton were enough to convince Beltoise to offer his own 250cc Bultaco to Patrick for the rest of the year. Patrick naturally excelled on the Bultaco. Near the end of the season, following a race at Clermont-Ferrand, Beltoise visited the Depailler home. By that time Patrick's parents were now fully aware of their son's racing exploits. They were however never happy with his very dangerous pastime. During the visit Beltoise told them about their son's racing talents and that he surely could make a future career in this sport. Beltoise's plea somehow convinced them. Patrick's father went as far as to provide some money so that his son could buy a new Bultaco at the end of 1965.

The following year, 1966, things did not go that well on the Bultaco. Mechanical problems and also a lack of finances very much ruined the ever-ambitious racer's progress. Alas, Patrick was once again given a chance by the ever-present Jean-Pierre Beltoise. It was on Beltoise's advice that he again turned to car racing. With some help from Jean-Pierre and also his parents, Patrick managed to find the 3500 francs to enter the Winfield Racing Drivers School at the Magny Cours circuit in Central France.

The school was established in 1962 and it soon became apparent that it was doing a fine job to nurture the careers of future champions in the sport. Jean-Pierre Beltoise felt that this was the best option at the time, to blow some new life into Patrick's stagnant career. The Knight brothers ran the school. Mike Knight still remembers today that Patrick was a brave and extremely committed driver. It was these characteristics that distinguished him from the other pupils.

Initial instruction at the school, took place in a classroom at the circuit and it was here that the students were taught the basic theory of race craft. This was followed up with sessions behind the wheel of a single seater racing car. The instruction syllabus followed the decidedly classic route of heel-and-toe acceleration and braking, double-declutching, etc. After that a whole series of laps were run at a time, where the engines were not allow to exceed predetermined revolutions. Each pupil was timed and evaluated individually. The fastest candidates at each course went through to the semi-finals at a later date. Here again, the top seven drivers qualified for the final, which was called the Volant Shell 1966. Patrick was one of the drivers that made it to the final at Magny Cours on 26 October 1966. Amongst the others were men that all made their mark in the sport in years to come - François Cevert (F1), Jimmy Mieusset (F2 and Hill Climbs), Patrick Champin (F3), Etienne Vigoureux (F3), François Gerbault (F3) and Pierre Marchesi.

The final was held before a jury of ten judges that included established racing drivers, people from the motor industry and also motorsport journalists. The finalists, one after the other, first had to do a few warm up laps, which was followed by five timed laps of the circuit. At stake for the winner of the Volant Shell was not only the prestige that was associated with the reward, but most importantly it offered a fully paid drive in the following year's French F3 Championship. After the first timed lap it was clear that the men to watch were Cevert, Depailler and Mieusset. Then on the second timed lap, Mieusset spun off the circuit and was eliminated from the competition. The remaining six drivers were in a fierce battle for the remainder of the competition. Patrick did his utmost to impress the judges, although he afterwards admitted that he was quite tense and a bit overcome by the moment. In the end he had to be satisfied with the runner-up spot. François Cevert was declared as the winner of the Volant Shell competition for 1966. This was bitter disappointment for Depailler, which future in the sport so much depended on winning this competition, or so he thought.

Like on numerous occasions in the past, it was yet again that man Beltoise, which came to the rescue. He saw the brilliant performance of Depailler in the Volant Shell and that convinced him that there was still a future for his protégé in motorsport. Beltoise decided to contact Alpine, who at the time was running a team in the French Formula 3 Championship. Jean Redelé established the Societé Automobiles Alpine in 1951. Redelé was a Renault dealer and part-time rally driver from Dieppe in Northern France that started building his own cars fitted with Renault engines. When Alpine entered motorsport they were very much considered as the competition arm of the Renault company.

Just prior to Jean-Pierre's discussions with Redelé, one of the Alpine team's drivers, Roby Weber, had left them to join the successful Matra team. Beltoise knew that there was a vacancy and he was hoping that Depailler could fill it. Shortly after that, Patrick received a letter from Alpine. He was asked to go to Paris for an interview with Jean Redelé, himself. It was fortunate that Redelé was one of the jury members that witnessed the final of the Volant Shell. He thus had first class experience of Depailler's driving skills. Was this the big chance that Patrick was always hoping for?

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