Guy Ligier
 |
|
| Born |
12 July 1930 Vichy, Allier, France |
|---|---|
| Died | 23 August 2015 (aged 85) Nevers, Nièvre, France |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |
 French |
| Active years | 1966 – 1967 |
| Teams | privateer Cooper, privateer Brabham |
| Entries | 13 (12 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Career points | 1 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1966 Monaco Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1967 Mexican Grand Prix |
Guy Camille Ligier was born in the commune of Vichy in the department of Allier on 12 July 1930 and died in the commune of Nevers in the department of Nièvre on 23 August 2015 at the age of 85 years. Although Ligier had many varied and successful careers over the course of his life, he is best known as a racing driver and Formula One team owner.
The son of a farmer, Ligier was orphaned at 7 years of age. He left school in his mid-teens and went to work as a butcher's assistant in his home town of Vichy.
Athletic and competitive, he became French rowing champion in 1947. He also had a passion for rugby, and was good enough to play for the French Army during National Service and earn a place on the French national B team. His rugby career was cut short due to injuries.
Determined to become successful, Ligier saved all of the money he earned working as a butcher to fund his aspirations. In 1960 he rented a backhoe, and a short time later bought a bulldozer of his own and went into the construction business.
With help from Pierre Coulon, Vichy's Mayor, he founded the public works company "Ligier Travaux Publics". With motorway construction booming in France, Ligier was able to rapidly expand his business. By 1961 he had 1200 employees and 500 machines and had also diversified into bridges, dams and development. During this period his business contacts allowed him to make important friends in (then) local politicians François Mitterrand and Pierre Bérégovoy.
When his rugby career ended he switched to racing, but on motorcycles. He would win the French Motorbike Championship in the 500cc class riding a Norton Manx "LA" in 1959 and in 1960.
Ligier made an early foray into auto racing with a Simca 1300 at the 1957 Parisian Salon Cups in Montlhéry, but it was in 1960 that he first tried his hand at single-seater racing with a Formula Junior Elva-DKW, which he drove at Monaco and Montlhéry.
By 1964 Ligier was racing Porsche sportscars as part of Auguste Veuillet's team, starting with a 356 and then a 904 Carrera GTS, in which he placed 7th with Robert Buchet at the 1964 24 Hours of Le Mans. That same year Ford France signed Ligier to drive one of two Formula 2 Brabham BT6 cars. These were year-old models, but one would be replaced by a newer Brabham BT10 during the season. Ligier's teammate was Jo Schlesser. Ligier finished fifth in his debut at Enna-Pergusa. So at the relatively late age of 34 Ligier began his "real" career as a driver.
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Wikipedia