Andruet, Jean-Claude

Photograph

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Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum

Surely one of the world's fastest rally drivers, Jean-Claude Andruet has both exceptional skill and an outstanding record to show for it. The 32-year-old bachelor collected a score of impressive victories in 1972: driving a Ferrari, he won the "Tour de France Automobile" and the "G.T." classification in the "Le Mans 24 Hours"; for Renault Alpine he won the "Charbonnieres Rally" - the "Cevenole Round", the "Tour of Corsica" and the "Var Rally". Andruet established himself in 1965 by winning the "Criterium des Aspirants". His real start took place in 1967 when he became an official member of the Renault Alpine The season was a brilliant one with places of honor in the Coupe des Alpes, Criterium des Cevennes and the Mont Blanc Rally for which he was awarded the Shell Trophy. In 1968 he won his first title - Rally Champion of France - and moved from there to one triumph after another: Tour of Corsica, Mont Blanc Rally, and a performance index victory (together with Jean-Pierre Nicolas) at the wheel of a 1000 cc Renault Alpine in the Le Mans 24 Hours. The following year his greatest victory was European Rally greatest victory Champion. He was third in the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally scratch classification but a series of misfortunes marked the end of his season. For this year's Monte Carlo Rally he teamed with Ms. Michele Petit, a 22-year-old blonde law student with quite an impressive list of victories behind her - the 1972 Tour of Corsica in particular. Together they took the championship in 5 hours, 42 minutes and 4 seconds. RENAULT NEWS BUREAU -- 100 Sylvan Avenue - Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

Surely one of the world's fastest rally drivers, Jean-Claude Andruet has both exceptional skill and an outstanding record to show for it. The 32-year-old bachelor collected a score of impressive victories in 1972: driving a Ferrari, he won the "Tour de France Automobile" and the "G.T." classification in the "Le Mans 24 Hours"; for Renault Alpine he won the "Charbonnieres Rally" - the "Cevenole Round", the "Tour of Corsica" and the "Var Rally". Andruet established himself in 1965 by winning the "Criterium des Aspirants". His real start took place in 1967 when he became an official member of the Renault Alpine The season was a brilliant one with places of honor in the Coupe des Alpes, Criterium des Cevennes and the Mont Blanc Rally for which he was awarded the Shell Trophy. In 1968 he won his first title - Rally Champion of France - and moved from there to one triumph after another: Tour of Corsica, Mont Blanc Rally, and a performance index victory (together with Jean-Pierre Nicolas) at the wheel of a 1000 cc Renault Alpine in the Le Mans 24 Hours. The following year his greatest victory was European Rally greatest victory Champion. He was third in the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally scratch classification but a series of misfortunes marked the end of his season. For this year's Monte Carlo Rally he teamed with Ms. Michele Petit, a 22-year-old blonde law student with quite an impressive list of victories behind her - the 1972 Tour of Corsica in particular. Together they took the championship in 5 hours, 42 minutes and 4 seconds. RENAULT NEWS BUREAU -- 100 Sylvan Avenue - Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

Name/Title

Andruet, Jean-Claude

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.28

Description

Jean‑Claude Andruet, born August 13, 1940, in Montreuil, France, is a celebrated French rally and endurance racer known for his speed, versatility, and longevity in top‑level motorsport. Andruet became one of the early stars of the World Rally Championship, winning three WRC events: the 1973 Monte Carlo Rally, the 1974 Tour de Corse, and the 1977 San Remo Rally. The 1973 Monte Carlo win was historic—it was the first rally ever held in the newly created WRC. He also captured the 1970 European Rally Championship and finished runner‑up in 1981. Despite his talent, he never secured a WRC drivers’ title, often hampered by mechanical issues and the cars' inconsistent reliability. Beyond rallying, Andruet excelled in endurance racing, earning five class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and winning the 1977 24 Hours of Spa, demonstrating his adaptability across disciplines. He drove for major manufacturers including Lancia, Citroën, Alpine‑Renault, and Ferrari, and remained active in motorsport into the mid‑1990s.

Collection

Simeone - Photograph

Category

Race Car Drivers

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Source or Donor

Frederick Simeone Founder Collection

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1975

Location

Archival Box

H01

Second Floor

Simeone Library