After two retirements at his first two 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 and 1967, Henri Pescarolo's popularity rose beginning in 1968 thanks to his unfailing determination, exploits on the track and reliable straightforwardness which make him to this day the delight of journalists who invite him to serve as a consultant on television or to share long discussions.

The 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans was a crucial step for him. At the wheel of the only Matra entered by the French constructor that year, Pescarolo was teammates with hopeful, Johnny Servoz-Gavin. In the race, the latter stopped in the first lap due to a broken windshield wiper as rain fell on the 24 Hours circuit. Then on a dry track, the Matra climbed to second position, behind future winners Pedro Rodriguez-Lucien Bianchi (Ford GT40). The rain returned during the night and Servoz-Gavin then at the wheel went back to the pit because the wiper still wasn't working properly!

Team owner, Jean-Luc Lagardère, woke Pescarolo: "We had worked a great deal on the car, the first equipped with an engine designed by Matra, replacing the BRM block of 1966 and 1967. In 1968, we finally had a car that would allow us to be front runners. I found it incredibly stupid to retire because of windshield wiper trouble. When Lagardère asked if I wanted to go anyway, I didn't hesitate a second!"

The weather conditions were deplorable, and the insider view Pescarolo gives now shows the extent of the exploit: "I took off telling myself every lap could be the last, because it seemed impossible to drive in those conditions. When I caught up to a car, I barely saw its red rear lights in the water and I couldn't tell if it was going right, left or center. If I was wrong about the side when I went to overtake, I would end up in the grass flooded with water then in the trees!"

This stunning feat won over not only the crowd at the 1968 24 Hours, but all of France who heard about it Sunday morning on the radio: "This performance was seen as exceptional, but my goal was to put the car back where it was supposed to be, meaning in second position," explains Pescarolo. It was mission accomplished thanks to Johnny Servoz-Gavin as well since he got back behind the wheel when the rain finally stopped. The dream of a podium finish vanished three hours from the finish when Pescarolo stopped for good shortly after the Mulsanne turn with a flat tyre that started a fire. But regardless of the end result: the overwhelming enthusiasm caused by that crazy night made the man in the green helmet a legend!

The following year, his determination turned into pain. On April 16, 1969 during a private testing session, Pescarolo's Matra took off in the Mulsanne Straight. He managed to flee the car engulfed in flames. Burned on his face and body, he also suffered two broken vertebrae, forcing him to face immobility for three months. But for a driver who braved without wipers horrific weather at the 1968 24 Hours, such a situation was inconceivable. Understanding he would not be allowed to leave the hospital unless he could walk on his own, he decided to defy his doctors' recommendation.

Every night, he got out of bed, often falling but always getting back up, carrying out in his hospital room in the greatest secrecy a sort of self-rehabilitation, as lengthy as it was painful. But, thanks to his iron will, the French driver made progress, slowly but surely, and gained confidence week after week. Then came the first test: doctors and nurses arrived to support a man who, they thought, was about to stand for the first time in two months. Instead they watched, speechless, as Henri Pescarolo got up and walked with no help!

After having served as a commentator at the 1969 24 Hours from his hotel room, Pescarolo returned to competition on August 1st at the Germany Grand Prix at the Nürburgring circuit. Then he was back at the 24 Hours of Le Mans the next year and every year after that without fail until 2000 - and beyond, when he became an outfit owner. To be continued in the next installment (check out the first installment published on July 26th).

Previous episodes here:
Part 1 - 1966-1967, the discovery

Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO