On 26th October 2006 a friendly meeting was held in the office of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest in the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit. This event was Jacky Ickx’idea who, for many, keeps being “Monsieur Le Mans” – Bruno Vandestick, the ACO speaker, mentioned that Tom Kristensen still considered the Belgian pilot as such – as well as the ACO and its President, Jean-Claude Plassart, who also attended this meeting.

It had been organized to honour Maurice Génissel, the former owner of the mythical Restaurant des Hunaudières and to offer the legendary marble plaque of the restaurant to the Musée de l’Automobile.

Jacky Ickx explained the whys and the wherefores of this present. He said he had become friend with Mr Génissel. When he gave up his restaurant, the latter offered the pilot this plaque because he considered this part of Le Mans history had to be his. Jacky Ickx reminded that Maurice Génissel, 89, was one of the memories of Le Mans. Since the creation of Le Mans sport event, in 1923, he had attended all editions but one (for health reasons). His father was, before him, the owner of the Hôtel de l’Hippodrome and the Restaurant des Hunaudières and he had grown up in the atmosphere of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Jacky Ickx recalled how this restaurant was a symbol of Le Mans and he could remember that, during the race he was able to see the figures of the clients eating in the terrace. He also said that this restaurant had turned into a cheerful meeting place for the racing people. On Sunday night, in the 24 Hours period the mechanics, constructors and pilots used to meet at Maurice Génissel’s who welcomed them as “princes”.

Jacky Ickx kept this plaque for about fifteen years, being grateful to the donator, but he thinks that now it should be in the “Hall of Fame” in the Musée de l’Automobile because the restaurant is part of the 24 Hours patrimony. Many photos taken on the famous straight line prove this.

Maurice Génissel, very touched, thanked Jacky for his compliments and greeted the ACO for the development of the race since the beginning. Jean-Claude Plassart also took he floor to say that Maurice Génissel had taught him a lot about racing cars and particularly the 24 Hours telling him many stories when he was at the Restaurant des Hunaudières.

Jacky Ickx gave another present to the Musée de l’Automobile. He offered a bronze sculpture representing him life-size, at the wheel, wearing a Lotus suit in 1974. This sculpture was made from a plaster mould by the Belgian Strebelle more than 30 years ago and melted by the French sculptor Romain Barelier. Jacky Ickx believed that this sculpture had its place in the museum but as the day was dedicated to Maurice Génissel, Jacky refused to pose in front of his bronze double.

This event brought back many souvenirs that contributed to the legend of the 24 Hours.

Other photos from this event made by Claude Foubert will be available in the gallery Events out of competition/2006/Tribute to Mr. Génissel

Thank you to Claude Foubert  for his collaboration.