For a few more quids
Belgian Teddy Pilette is ready to jump in the Belga-livered Ford Capri 3.0S he shares with Britton Gordon Spice at the 1978 24 Hours of Spa. Note the ‘Gitanes’ sticker on Pilette’s helmet. The two veterans produce a solid race, beat a series of very well driven BMW’s, and take a prestigious victory.
When Gordon Spice asked Teddy Pilette to be his team mate, the Belgian happily agreed, and was confident enough he could get some personal sponsorship from Belgian cigarette brand Belga, that was the car’s main sponsor. To his big surprise, it was refused: no additional budget was available, it was said to him.
Disappointed but determined, Pilette turned to another cigarette brand, French Gitanes, who agreed to put its logos on his helmet (and pay him a few quids). So, very oddly, and unthinkable today, he raced and won with Gitanes stickers on his helmet, while his car (picture-below) was in Belga red and white! Other times…
Asked about this story Teddy Pilette laughed and recalled: “Yes, it’s 100% correct. Gordon Spice knew I was fast from the F5000 championship and asked me to drive with him. Mr. Radar from Belga refused to pay me anything, but spent millions (of Belgian francs) for the event. Gitanes was a sponsor of the Pilette racing school, so I decided to run with their stickers on my helmet. We won the race, and when I got on the podium with my Gitanes badge, it took less than 10 seconds for the Belga staff to jump on me, and hand me a Belga jacket, and I was happy to fu.k Belga!”