Patrick Pons Fatal Crash @ Silverstone 1980 (Aftermath)
- 5 months ago
Nicknamed by fans as "Le Petit Prince de la Moto", Patrick Pons was one of France's top riders in the 1970s. He was born on 24 December 1952 in Paris, France, from a wealthy family, his father working in the financial sector and Stock Exchange. He was very gifted for sports and could have very well become a top snow skier or a boat racer, his passions of youth. He sported a double sided personality, at the same time quiet, discreet and very friendly out of track, and tough and aggressive when competing.
In the prestigious 200 Miles of Daytona, Patrick Pons finished fifth in 1976, at his third participation. In 1977 he qualified in the first row only to withdraw later due to clutch failure, while running in fifth position. Unfortunately he lost the rest of the 1977 season due to severe leg trauma. Patrick Pons resumed racing in 1978, finishing fifth in the 750 cm3 class, now called Formula 750 World Championship. Early in the year, he was badly injured at the start of the Gran Premio de Venezuela at San Carlos, being hit by Victor Palomo. Pons lost the greatest part of both seasons 1977 and 1978 due to injuries which required a long convalescence until a complete recovery.
Along with his Sonauto-Gauloises team mate and close friend Gérard Choukroun, Patrick Pons decided to cut his teeth also on four wheels. Near the end of 1976, they attended the Winfield racing-school at the Circuit Paul Ricard at Le Castellet and Choukroun eventually won the first prize in the 1976 "Volante Elf". Pons did not participate in the final, being slighty injured in a motorcycle accident.
1979 proved to be his best season. Patrick Pons became the first French rider to win the World Champion Formula 750 World Championship, scoring four victories over 20 races, at Nogaro in France, Mosport Park, Canada and two times at Hockenheim, Germany. He finally won the 200 Miles of Daytona in 1980, beating all the American specialists, including Kenny Roberts and Freddie Spencer.
On Sunday, 10 August 1980, during the British Grand Prix 500 cm3 class race held at Silverstone, Patrick Pons crashed at a speed of about 240 km/h (150 mi/h) on Beckets Corner. He was hit by a motorcycle, supposedly the one ridden by his country-fellow Michel Rougerie, who was unable to avoid impact. According to different sources Pons was struck by his own bike that bounced over him.
Seriously injured, Patrick Pons was transferred to Northampton Hospital on the request of Dr. Costa of the AGV mobile clinic. Two days later he was declared dead, at 22h00 on Tuesday, 12 August 1980.
R.I.P
In the prestigious 200 Miles of Daytona, Patrick Pons finished fifth in 1976, at his third participation. In 1977 he qualified in the first row only to withdraw later due to clutch failure, while running in fifth position. Unfortunately he lost the rest of the 1977 season due to severe leg trauma. Patrick Pons resumed racing in 1978, finishing fifth in the 750 cm3 class, now called Formula 750 World Championship. Early in the year, he was badly injured at the start of the Gran Premio de Venezuela at San Carlos, being hit by Victor Palomo. Pons lost the greatest part of both seasons 1977 and 1978 due to injuries which required a long convalescence until a complete recovery.
Along with his Sonauto-Gauloises team mate and close friend Gérard Choukroun, Patrick Pons decided to cut his teeth also on four wheels. Near the end of 1976, they attended the Winfield racing-school at the Circuit Paul Ricard at Le Castellet and Choukroun eventually won the first prize in the 1976 "Volante Elf". Pons did not participate in the final, being slighty injured in a motorcycle accident.
1979 proved to be his best season. Patrick Pons became the first French rider to win the World Champion Formula 750 World Championship, scoring four victories over 20 races, at Nogaro in France, Mosport Park, Canada and two times at Hockenheim, Germany. He finally won the 200 Miles of Daytona in 1980, beating all the American specialists, including Kenny Roberts and Freddie Spencer.
On Sunday, 10 August 1980, during the British Grand Prix 500 cm3 class race held at Silverstone, Patrick Pons crashed at a speed of about 240 km/h (150 mi/h) on Beckets Corner. He was hit by a motorcycle, supposedly the one ridden by his country-fellow Michel Rougerie, who was unable to avoid impact. According to different sources Pons was struck by his own bike that bounced over him.
Seriously injured, Patrick Pons was transferred to Northampton Hospital on the request of Dr. Costa of the AGV mobile clinic. Two days later he was declared dead, at 22h00 on Tuesday, 12 August 1980.
R.I.P