Behra, Jean (F)
b 16/2/1921 (Nice) - d 1/8/1959 (Berlin)
3 times French motorbike champion
1949 - 6th in Coupe du Salon at Montlhery (Talbot)
1950 - Took part in Monte Carlo Rally (Simca). Won a hill climb in a
borrowed Maserati.
1951 - Works Gordini driver. 3rd in races at Les Sables d'Olonne & Cadours
1952 - 6 GP (Gordini), 6 points. (3rd Swiss GP, 5th German GP). His win at
Reims non-championship GP bought him hero status, as he lead lap
after lap the virtually unbeatable Ferrari of Ascari
1953 - 6 GP (Gordini), 1 point. (6th Argentina)
1954 - 8 GP (Gordini), 1 point, (6th France). DSQ=1 (Argentina - outside
assistance after spin). Won non-championship Pau GP after three
hours racing by 60yards from Trintignant's Ferrari
1955 - 6 GP (Maserati), 6.5 points. Shared drives at Argentine, Monaco &
Belgian GPs. Won non-championship GPs at Pau and Bordeaux. Sportscar
wins at Bari, Monza, Nurburgring & Oporto. Crash in Tourist Trophy
resulted in ear being sliced off - received plastic replacement
1956 - 7 GP (Maserati), 22 points (2nd Argentina).
1957 - 6 GP (Maserati), 8 points (2nd Argentina). Non-championship GPs: won
Pau, Modena and Moroccan GPs for Maserari, Caen GP & International
Trophy for BRM
1958 - 10 GP (1 Ken Kavanagh (Maserati), 9 Owen Racing/BRM), 9 points (3rd
Dutch GP). Won Avus and Rouen sportscar races (Porsche), and Avus &
Coupe de Vitesse in F2
1959 - Joined Ferrari. Won Aintree 200 non-championship GP, and 2nd in
Syracuse GP. 2nd in Sebring, 3rd in Nurburgring 1000km sportscar
races. Finished 2nd in Auvergne Trophy in own Porsche. 4 GP (3
Ferrari, 1 own entrant), 2 points (5th Holland). Engine failure
in French GP for Ferrari caused excessive frustration for Behra,
who got involved in scuffle with team manager Tavoni. Then shown
door.... Entered German GP at Avus, as well as sportscar race, in
own Porsches. In rain soaked practice for support race, he was
killed instantly when he lost control on slippery banking. He
crashed, and hit a flag pole on being flung from car.