Bob Neyret: "Back then we drove without seatbelts, without helmets, and even without pace notes!"

He is a witness to a bygone era, almost unbelievable for younger motorsport enthusiasts. Robert Neyret – nicknamed “Bob” – has seen and experienced it all. From the barely marked tracks of Africa to ice racing, from rallying to circuit racing… So many extraordinary adventures that he recounted to us from behind the wheel of a DS. Inseparable from his car, the 91-year-old “young man” takes us on a journey through time.

Published 25/01/2026 à 12:00

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Bob Neyret: "Back then we rode without seatbelts, without helmets, and even without music notes!"

Hello Bob. We're starting this carpooling aboard a DS, a car you know well and with which many associate you?

Indeed, I've practically only raced DS cars in all international rallies (double winner of the Rally from Morocco in 1969 and 1970 on a DS 21 Proto in particular(Editor's note). They have this example here at the DS Store in Grenoble. It's a DS 21 prepared for historic rallies, which starts right up, as you saw. It's just like they used to make them, with all the body panels in plastic, except for the doors. It's about 300 kg lighter, but it has all the equipment to race, with a homologated roll cage and bucket seats.

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