Yvonne Simon


Yvonne Marie Louise Simon was a French racing driver who participated in rallying, circuit races and endurance racing.

Biography

One reference reports that Simon was born on 6 December 1910 in Charmont, France. A second says that she was born in 1917, in Troyes, Champagne-Ardenne. A third lists a birthdate of 6 December 1906 in Charmont, Aube, France.
Simon died on 16 August 1992.

Racing career

Simon's racing career spanned the years from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s.
One of her earliest racing appearances was in the 1937 Rallye Paris - Saint-Raphaël Féminin. Although she did not win in 1937, she placed second on her first attempt and would go on to win this event four times, finishing first in the last race held prior to World War II in 1939, and in three consecutive events after the war in 1952, '53, and '54.
Simon won the first running of a new event arranged in 1939. Racing drivers Anne-Cécile Itier and Jean Delorme formed the Union Sportive Automobile. The USA launched a one-make racing series for women to be held prior to major Grand Prix events. On 11 June 1939 Simon won the inaugural race in the Championnat féminin de l'Union Sportive Automobile driving a Renault Juvaquatre on the Péronne circuit prior to the running of the Picardy Grand Prix.
Simon made two appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, driving a 2 L Ferrari 166 MM both times.

Racing record

Circuit racing

Grand Prix of Riems
Bari Grand Prix
Monza Grand Prix
Nimes Grand Prix
Lyon - Chamonix Rally
Monte Carlo Rally
Paris 12 Hours
Spa 24 Hours
24 Hours of Le Mans
Mille Miglia
12 Hours of Reims
Bol d'Or