In a new mini—series we look at peculiar and unusual facts about some of the places, faces and races on the 2016 FIA World Endurance championship schedule.
We bet you didn’t know…that the founder of the venue of the upcoming Prologue test – Paul Ricard - was a truly extraordinary man. It is well known that he created and made his fortune from his own interpretation of Pastis. Less well known are his exploits as a film producer and also an environmentalist.
He produced of one of the first French colour films, ''La Maison du Printemps,'' in the 1950s, and then went on to develop two Mediterranean islands – Embiez and Bendor. At both, he excavated the islands to protect wildlife and campaigned tirelessly against industrial pollution in the sea. Upon his death in 1997, at the age of 88, he was buried on Embiez and, exactly to his wishes, his gravestone faces out to sea.
As well as his interest in motorsport, Ricard was also the first ever commercial sponsor in the Tour de France, in 1948.
So, when you are at Circuit Paul Ricard later this month, look around the amazing facility and remember the incredible man who started it all and who led an incredible life – Monsieur Paul Ricard.
