50 events, 75 years and over 100km/ph average separate the first from the ultimate running of the "Giant of Provence" most famous climb. This hill has been climbed so many times between the 30mph achieved by first winner Chauchard and the 92.5mph reached by Mieusset, the ultimate driver to add his name to the event's prize-list in 1976. When the Ventoux hillclimb disappeared in 1976, the race was the oldest, the most severe, the longest -in a nutshell the must of the world-wide hillclimbs. And it deserved it!

 

From the "Era of Pioneers" (1902-1913) to the "Modern Times" (1947-1976), without forgetting the "Gentlemen Drivers" period (1921-1936), the record has been smashed 62 times: twenty six times by a car, twenty-one by a bike and fifteen by a side car.

 

For 75 years, most of the important makes among the European automobile manufacturers have been endeavouring to go through the Mont Ventoux victory lane. Nevertheless, we can say that 1957 was one of the turning dates of the event when it became the French round for the European Mountain Championship. Abarth, BMW, Ferrari and Porsche come to have a confrontation with very sophisticated equipment. For five times Formula 1 and Formula 2 cars will rule these… summit fights.

 

Bikes and sidecars are also part of the Mont Ventoux Hillclimb history. Or maybe was it opposite? The average gap was also very impressive. Enough considering Derny's nearly 20mph average in 1902 and the 72mph achieved by Chomat in 1976 on a bike; then the 25.5mph realised by Smith to the 65mph reached by Combe / Combe with a side car in year 1976…

 

There is no coincidence in the fact that the Mont Ventoux Hillclimb has always kept in front of motor-racing history. Techniques and driver professionalism contribute in a significant manner to these 75 successful years. The event does not only allow to size the power and the reliability of the engine up, the effort and the cleverness of the manufacturers, but also the courage, the value and the virtuosity of the drivers.

 

This achievement was also due to the technical 13.5 mile-long roadway linking Bedoin to the top of the hill. A fascinating road that ever since stimulated the organisers, spurred the drivers into action, whipped the numerous crowds spread alongside and gave the journalists great stories.