In a recent interview Sebastien Buemi said that his grandfather (his mom's father) was a race car driver who took part in several editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and abandoned racing after a huge accident. He was not happy when Sebastien started his professional career.
Who was he?
Buemi's grandfather
Started by
Nanni Dietrich
, Apr 30 2011 10:35
3 replies to this topic
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#2
john winfield
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- 5,783 posts
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Member
Posted 30 April 2011 - 10:55
In a recent interview Sebastien Buemi said that his grandfather (his mom's father) was a race car driver who took part in several editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and abandoned racing after a huge accident. He was not happy when Sebastien started his professional career.
Who was he?
I think it may be Georges Gachnang, grandfather of SB and his racing cousin Natasha Gachnang.
http://webcache.goog...ww.google.co.uk
It looks like he raced 'AC-Aigle' #30 in 1960
http://www.racingspo...1960-06-26.html
with more info and photos here on the AC owners' site
http://www.acownersc...p?TOPIC_ID=1650
Edited by john winfield, 30 April 2011 - 11:14.
#3
Tim Murray
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Moderator
Posted 30 April 2011 - 11:30
There's also a thread on here about the Gachnang brothers, including a post from the son of one of them:
Georges Gachnang and Cegga racing cars
Georges Gachnang and Cegga racing cars
#4
Louism
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- 88 posts
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Member
Posted 30 April 2011 - 11:56
Nanni,
On the AC owner's Club forum, I only talk about the Gachnang brothers for their involvment at Le Mans 24 Hours in 1960 with the special bodied Ace Bristol.
As John told you you can read here:
http://www.acownersc...amp;whichpage=1
During the sixties they also produced single seaters and sports cars under the name of CEGGA (Claude Et Georges Gachnang Aigle). Aigle is the name of their home city in Switzerland.
Georges Gachnang raced at Le Mans 24 Hours only once in 1960 with André Wicky and John Gretener as a reserve driver (AC Ace Bristol BEX 289 #30).
On racingsportscar.com it is said by mistake John Gretener did not drive but Georges Gachnang had to leave the wheel after small injury during the race.
On the french forum Autodiva, you can have a look at 2 topics:
- General topic about the CEGGA history
http://www.autodiva....amp;hilit=CEGGA
- Again about the history of AC Bristol at the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1957 and 1962.
http://www.autodiva....p...265&start=0
Georges Gachnang has two children, a daughter who is Sebastien Buemi's mum and a son who is Natacha Gachnang's father...
By the way on my favorite subject about AC Bristol at Le Mans, you will be able to read that I am looking for informations about 2 chassis entered at the famous endurance race.
- I am still trying to find who made the modification of BEX 289 after it was sold by the Gachnangs. Look at the pictures from Le Mans 1960 and from the early eighties in France, the car has a completly different body at the back. It is said it was made by Drogo, hard to believe...
I don't know where is the car today.
- I also lost AE 205 who was the first Ace entered by the factory and Ken Rudd in 1957 (specialy bodied at the front for better air penetration). It was sold in USA in 1958 and seen in some SCCA events. I thought it was the one owned by a japanese fan today and in fact it is a "look a like" AC Bristol.
Claude et Georges Gachnang today
Louis Monnier
On the AC owner's Club forum, I only talk about the Gachnang brothers for their involvment at Le Mans 24 Hours in 1960 with the special bodied Ace Bristol.
As John told you you can read here:
http://www.acownersc...amp;whichpage=1
During the sixties they also produced single seaters and sports cars under the name of CEGGA (Claude Et Georges Gachnang Aigle). Aigle is the name of their home city in Switzerland.
Georges Gachnang raced at Le Mans 24 Hours only once in 1960 with André Wicky and John Gretener as a reserve driver (AC Ace Bristol BEX 289 #30).
On racingsportscar.com it is said by mistake John Gretener did not drive but Georges Gachnang had to leave the wheel after small injury during the race.
On the french forum Autodiva, you can have a look at 2 topics:
- General topic about the CEGGA history
http://www.autodiva....amp;hilit=CEGGA
- Again about the history of AC Bristol at the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1957 and 1962.
http://www.autodiva....p...265&start=0
Georges Gachnang has two children, a daughter who is Sebastien Buemi's mum and a son who is Natacha Gachnang's father...
By the way on my favorite subject about AC Bristol at Le Mans, you will be able to read that I am looking for informations about 2 chassis entered at the famous endurance race.
- I am still trying to find who made the modification of BEX 289 after it was sold by the Gachnangs. Look at the pictures from Le Mans 1960 and from the early eighties in France, the car has a completly different body at the back. It is said it was made by Drogo, hard to believe...
I don't know where is the car today.
- I also lost AE 205 who was the first Ace entered by the factory and Ken Rudd in 1957 (specialy bodied at the front for better air penetration). It was sold in USA in 1958 and seen in some SCCA events. I thought it was the one owned by a japanese fan today and in fact it is a "look a like" AC Bristol.
Claude et Georges Gachnang today
Louis Monnier
Edited by Louism, 30 April 2011 - 19:54.
