When I met you for the first time, I remained spot, without knowing what to do. This so famous smile, I had it in front of me. I had dreamed about this meeting and you, whom we are calling «Mister Le Mans», were in front of me.

I am not able to say when it was but I remember it very well. I was at my desk and you entered the garage. You asked me to call the director and I did not react. I gaped you and you called me back to reality then you joined the director. Then, you left and me there, I still could not believe it.

The next days, I kept my book “ Jacky Ickx the unruly child” with me in case you would return. And you returned. This time, I called you up for talking with you and to ask you to sign my book. I told to you that I was a race marshall and you told me : «Never take useless risks.». I always thought again about this sentence when I was on circuits at the edge of track during the motor races, for the safety of all these drivers who make me dream and live.

One day, the luck came to me when Julien Garnier told to me about Clovis and about the new strip book redrawing your career : «Historickx». He allowed me to meet Clovis, an other extraordinary meeting, and invited me at the book’s presentation in Brussels, an other moment moving in my life where you dedicated my copy of «Historickx».

But the biggest emotion came later, when one day you drove your car to the garage and asked me to drive you home. I could not believe it. Me ? Driving the greatest Belgian driver, the one who made me dream and love the car racing since I was a little girl. I must tell you that I was very stressed and that I did not know what to do. I was afraid of your glance on my driving skill. You said to me: «Attention, I give points at the end.». You indicated me the way as a co-driver. It was funny. While I was under stress, you spoke about everything and nothing, we spoke about human relations and you made me understand important things of the life, even if the journey lasted only about fifteen minutes. When we arrived, you said to me : «It is OK, you are driving well. Thank you. But no, it is you that have to thank me, I give you the opportunity to make a trip.».

And it’s true, it is to me to thank you for the feelings that I had by meeting you. For the memories which I shall keep for ever in the deep of my heart and, who knows, which I shall tell maybe one day to my grandchildren.

By this message, I wanted to share a meeting… and to thank you.
Sir, you do not imagine what meeting you meant to me …

Thank you.