Monday June 30th 2009 – 5.25 pm – Circuit of Nürburgring. The gloved hand activates the starter. Instaneously, the V10 answers the pilot’s request. Its deaf rumbling reverberates in my back and invades the overheated cockpit.
With this simple gesture Jacky Ickx had just given life to a very old dream: to sit beside him in a racing car. What impassioned person did not have this same crazy desire?
What yesterday was still only the realms of fiction had become a reality.

Yet how did I get there? To understand it , I need to fill you in …
It all started a few weeks ago, during a phone conversation with Julien Garnier, author of this website, in which he proposed that I accompany him to the Nürburgring to the Modena Track Days, on the 29th and 30th of June. Reports on previous editions made my mouth water and Julien’s proposition felt like a dream. In spite of the distance, I immediately decided to make the trip.

The day before the big day, I went to Belgium to find Julien, with whom we had agreed to share a car.

On Monday morning, with Julien at the wheel, we hit the road early and after two hours of driving, we quietly arrive at our destination. Direct entrance into the paddock, parking 50 m from the stands … .. a kind of VIP’s(very impatient people !!!) arrival.

Being impatient people, we had to find Jacky Ickx… While getting out of the car, Julien recognized the personal car of the Ringmeister, parked a few meters away from ours.
In the meantime, we walked along the stands to take in the temperature of the event. The weather was ideal and would remain so for two days, with the exception of a shower during Monday’s lunch break.
What struck us from the beginning was a feeling of great freedom. The possibility of walking freely through the stands in the midst of the cars. There were no constant controls of badges, no stands looking like bunkers in which one masks everything as soon as the car comes back. Here, you could approach the cars, even touch them. You could almost crawl into the cockpit to photograph it. All this without anybody looking suspicious or disapproving of you. It was like being back in the days of gentlemen-drivers. I discovered the richness and variety of the plateau: F1, Sport Protos, Grand Tourism etc …. There were cars from all epochs and for all tastes.

Before the first cars entered the track, Julien and I were focusing our efforts to find Jacky Ickx. Arriving at his stand, we were pleased to see that he was now there. Julien went to greet him. I followed in his trail, quite intimidated and decided to be discreet and unintrusive. On seeing Julien arriving, Jacky went up to him with a wide smile and greeted him warmly. Myself, always hidden in Julien’s shadow, I also received a very cordial welcome which definitely delighted me. This was not the first time I had approached Jacky Ickx closely, but as always it triggered off a particular emotion. To me it has a very specific name: charisma. And I believe that this man had a lot to spare.
Past the greeting stage, the conversation with Julien continued for a few minutes on a nice and often humorous tone. Humor, a weapon that Jacky practices gladly and to perfection.
Then he turned to the Audi technicians responsible for preparing the car , which he would drive for two days: the fabulous R8 V10. We must emphasize that Jacky Ickx is attentive to the men in charge of preparing the car. A small kind word, a smile, a joke, a small friendly pat on the shoulder, a brief shake of the hand in every departure track: so many revealing signs of the consideration he carries for these men. After a brief technical consultation, he sits in the car to proceed to the various settings (pedal, mirrors …). We observe with interest this ceremony, which allows me enough time to take a first series of photos.

Meanwhile, the first cars took possession of the track and I left the Audi stand for one moment s to go to see the “monsters” in action. These are the “classic cars of all makes up to 1975”. Then would come the plateau of F1 and after that the one of sports cars. Each plateau was on the track for 40 minutes. During the two days, the series would follow each other with very short breaks in between. A steady pace which allowed one not to get bored. Especially to see so many beautiful cars: FerrariF1 (500 of 1953, 312 1967, 312 Q4 of 1979, F87, 1987, 412 1995, F300, F2002 … etc), Ferrari 312 PB and 512 M, Ferrari Daytona, Enzo , Porsche 908, Alfa Romeo GTA, Sauber Mercedes, Mercedes CLK, Mac Laren F1, Renault F1. The list is still long … A true delight to see succeeding one after another these cars entered in the pantheon of motor sports. A happiness to see again in movement these works of art dedicated to the cult of speed. And there, in Nürburgring, all these glories, old or new, could again express themselves under our eager eyes.

It’s in the series of sports cars that the Audi R8 V10 must ride with Jacky Ickx at the controls. Shortly before noon, after the Audi engineers had warmed up to the car, he moved behind the steering wheel. Even for someone accustomed to this type of exercise, getting into the car required some skillfull contortions. When the track opened, the pilot started the engine, making a commitment towards the stands and grabbed the asphalt which was positioned under his wheels. All this of course, under the attentive glance of many spectators. Jacky was going to make several rounds resuscitating the magic of former days. The magic of a time when his presence and his piloting gave color to the circuits. Gave brightness to the races in which he had participated.

After a few rounds, he stopped to take a passenger with him, then another one…
It appeared that during these two days, some rare privileged beings could share this incredible happiness to rise aboard a 550 hp car driven by a motor racing legend !
According to the information that reached us in the Audi’s stand, it seemed possible that I could too, know this happiness. Julien advised me to register and I began to hope secretly to reach the nirvana before leaving the circuit at the end of Modena Track Days.

Jacky Ickx was to resume the track late in the afternoon. Who would be on the list of the lucky ones allowed to sit beside him? I did not leave the Audi stand in expectation of the invaluable sesame. When I was finally granted my wish, it remained to know if I would go in the car the same day or the following one. To forget this uncertainty, there were fortunately the cars which continued running, offering a magnificent show. And then, there was always the possibility of enjoying the presence of Jacky Ickx. To be firmly beside him allowed me to notice that, although he was very often sollicited by fans, journalists or photographers, he never discarded his courtesy, his availability and his kindness. A role model …

4.50pm The track was opened to sports cars. It thus was open to Jacky Ickx… and to my hopes to put a foot in the car. The first happy ones performed their passage into the Audi R8. Every time they put their feet on the ground, their eyes shone and their comments were full of happiness.
Suddenly at 5.10pm, one of the Audi technicians handed me a hood and a helmet. Here it was, my turn had arrived. I equiped myself immediately. Under the emotion, I barely attached the strap of the helmet. Julian helped me and I was ready. The car was on the track but in front of me another candidate for the ascents of adrenaline was awaiting his turn.
Under the helmet, my thoughts bubbled, mixed. The car stopped. His passenger got down, immediately replaced by the following one who settled down in the car. He was strapped in by a technician. I watched carefully as the next one, would be me. My heart sped up a little already. The car left and the time stood still. It seemed to me that those few minutes lasted an eternity. When the car reappeared in the pit lane, my heart rhythm still increased a little, my throat dried out.
The Audi stopped right in front of me, I could skip into the car. The exercise was finally not very difficult. Once seated, the ritual repeated itself. The Audi’s technician fixed the harness which in a few moments would prevent me from kissing the windscreen. The door closed. The world around me would no longer exist.. The car was a sealed bubble. I sat alongside a legend, in the environment that made him legendary. I held my breath.

5.25pm – The gloved hand activated the starter. Instantly, the V10 answered the request of the pilot. Its deaf rumbling reverberated in my back and invaded the overheated cockpit. Jacky Ickx engaged the 1st gear and the car started to move. The slight acceleration was already showing that there was power to spare in the heart of the V10, and that this power was just asking to burst out. The pit lane was run as slowly as it should.
The green light, which allows entrance to the track was lit. Jacky Ickx’s right foot pressed the accelerator without restraint and an invisible hand instantly glued me against the bottom of the seat. The speed was increasing at a pace that I had ever known. The reactions of the gearbox were fitted with speed and precision. Hardly having taken in what had happened to me had we lined up on the first bend.
The braking is to measure the accelerations. Maybe even stronger still. The first turn, almost a pin on the right, was perfectly negotiated. As soon as the car was online, the breath of the engine burst out again to hurl the Audi towards the next turn.
In what direction this bend? Tightened or opened? And the next one was it fast or slow ???
In fact, after the first hairpin, I was unable to remember the circuit. My eyes did not know what to watch as there were so many things to see. My brain did not know what to save as there were so many things to remember. Everything went very fast. And at the same time everything seemed to take place slowly as Jacky Ickx’s control was as big, as the limits of the car seemed distant.
I did not know anymore what to watch. So I looked at everything: the track which scrolled very fast, the bends which succeeded one another at a furious pace, punctuated by breakings and accelerations. I observed Jacky’s hands on the steering wheel and the gear lever. I studied the movement of his feet playing the accelerator and the brake.
And most importantly, I contemplated his eyes fixed on the track, concentrated in the extreme. All this in an Olympian calm. All my senses were on the alert: my ears were filled by the sound of V10 which roared behind the seat. My body felt the slightest jolts of the track, he felt the car shying away briefly on a curb for a 1000th of a second, before finding completely the adhesion.
What speed did we reach? I was unable to say because not once did my eyes land on the counter. Too many other things to watch. Much more than a posted speed, only count the real felt sensations.
And then I also remembered a car that we quickly caught up and which slowed us down a bit. Jacky remained carefully behind for a few bends before exceeding it just in the entrance of a curve on a supported braking.
It was time. This slower car was wasting the party!! The feast of the speed and sensations. But this caution in overtaking, this respect for the mechanics and for the other cars on the track, is only one of the essentials keys of the six Jacky Ickx’s wins at Le Mans? Once the track’s free ahead of us, it was once again like a tour on a roller coaster. But which ends very fast. Too fast.
The delay before getting into the car seemed endless. The time spent in the car seemed to last only one second.
By taking the access road to the stands, I could not believe that it was already finished. But I had just lived exceptional moments. And attended a symphony of piloting. A concerto in major virtuosity. Of course, Jacky Ickx had not driven to his limits. He was even certainly very very far. But for ordinary mortals, for the driver of everyday life, the experience is no less unique and unforgettable.
The feeling above all others, is an absolute pleasure marked by the total absence of fear or apprehension. The master’s degree of the driver jumps to the eyes of the profane and puts him immediately in trust.

Arriving at the stand, the car stopped. The door opened and it was now time to get out of the car. It was a more complicated task than settling down there. Unless the motivation to get in had been greater than the one to get out!! I had now to regain my spirits. Not simple.
Shortly after I went out of the car, the program of the day had ended. Before joining our hotel, we were going to greet Jacky Ickx who was relaxing quietly at the bottom of the stand. A few nice words, one last joke and we took leave awaiting our return trip the next day. The day ended peacefully, giving us time to recover from all the emotions of the last hours.

The next day, hardly were we in the Audi’s stand than Jacky Ickx arrived in his turn. As the day before, the reception was warm and teasing! In a joking tone, he worried about Julien’s health before he boarded the passenger’s seat of the R8.
By late morning, Jacky Ickx had taken the track again and this time among his guests was Julien who had published his thoughts in the previous article.

The morning was coming to an end and after having both experienced moments of such intensity, we believed that the program of the afternoon (car elegance competitions) might seem very flat. We thus decided to return to Belgium.

Of course, we first must pay tribute to Jacky Ickx. Last few minutes of conversation. Some final trade joke. Jacky’s encouragements to make a safe journey for the return and we split.

When I arrived at the door of the stand, I turned one last time to think about this man who from my childhood, and whose vehicle one day in June 1969 in Le Mans, had always meant something so special to me. I cast a last glance at this Sir who had just offered me some great memories over the previous hours. In the very depths of myself, I then thought “Goodbye Mr Ickx and thank you for everything”.

The return to Belgium took place smoothly but I still had 6 hours of road to drive to France. After greeting Julien and his wife, I began my way home in the late afternoon. During the long way back, images and feelings crowded inside me. At this time, with some much-needed decline, I finally feel the full dimension of these two wonderful days. The event had proved stronger than all of my wildest hopes. No regrets for having made this long journey. The regret would have been not to go there. At the time while I am writing , a few days after that event, I wonder if this was not a dream. But the answer is necessary: it is indeed reality.

These two days will shine forever in the cupboard of my personal memories. And I can not finish this article without thanking about those who made them possible:

• Modena Motorsport for organising a remarkable event where car lovers can indulge their passion in complete freedom.
• Julien Garnier in proposing to accompany him is clearly the mainspring of this German trip. Without him, I would not even have thought that I could be one day in a sports car alongside Jacky Ickx. Without him, his passion and his daily work, this magnificent website would not exist. When we see the result, it would be a shame. Julien, those who visit your site could never thank you enough…
• and of course Jacky Ickx himself for his kindness, good humor and availability. Being at his side for a few hours confirms what a fine man he is. Gentleman-driver he is on the track. A Gentleman in life …. as simple as it seems.