Endurance
François Hurel, great writer of motorsport, has left us
François Hurel was an accomplished kart driver. Photo Jaussaud Events
He is a man with multiple talents recognized in the world of French motorsport (driver, journalist, editor), who died this Wednesday March 13, 2024. François Hurel died at the age of 64, like 'confirmed the organization for which he annually wrote the magazine of the Club des Pilotes des 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO).
After having tried brilliantly at karting in his native Normandy in 1979, François Hurel became a specialist in a specific field: endurance in karting. “In 1979, the only existing 24-hour event took place in Brignoles in the Var, he explained for the official website of 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2011. Being in Normandy, it seemed far away, expensive and complicated. And for the young driver that I was, speed remained the priority.
Being already passionate about the 24 Hours of Le Mans, I dreamed that this event existed in karting. So, when it finally appeared on the calendar in 1986, taking part was obvious, especially since at 25, I no longer had any speed ambitions. This race therefore extended my kart racing career. Afterwards, winning it became a goal. »
Nicknamed “the Henri Pescarolo of karting” for his record attendance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Karting (24 participations, a record), François Hurel notably won the 1989 edition in the company of the Swiss Carigiet team and the Carigiet-Schwab- drivers. Stoll. It was also the first time that a foreign team took over this competition which has become one of the major events in endurance karting over time.
In addition to competition, François Hurel has become a leader in sports journalism, with a penchant forEndurance and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Author of several reference books on the highlights of builders in Sarthe (his works on Ferrari, Porsche, Matra, Ford or Alpine today constitute references for enthusiasts), he also founded and directed his own magazine “Le Mans Racing” in the 2000s.
Furthermore, it is in the company of Michel Hommell and his publications like AUTOhebdo or Échappement that François Hurel reported on racing news in France. His exceptional historical background in motorsport made him an ideal contributor to the Classic section in the AUTO columns.hebdo until his retirement in the fall of 2022.
To the family, loved ones and friends of François Hurel, AUTOhebdo sends its most sincere condolences.
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Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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PHILIPPE MOURET
14/03/2024 at 01:41 a.m.
What sad news. His talent and knowledge of motorsport were invaluable. All my condolences to his family and to the AutoHebdo editorial staff.
Jacques Morin
14/03/2024 at 12:47 a.m.
It's really sad. Yes, it is an understatement to say that François Hurel was a reference and a true historian of motorsport, with a pleasant pen... He accompanied me in my discoveries of motorsport for around forty years... My condolences to his family... and to the AUTOhebdo team.