Legends

Born on January 18, 1950 in a small city named Iberville located near St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, Gilles Villeneuve tragically died May 8, 1982 during a qualification session at Zolder, Belgium. His first presence at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières in 1973 was concluded by a victory in the Formula Ford 1600 race. In 1976, Gilles was highlighted for his 1st position in Formula Atlantic, leading all way long the race and followed by many international drivers. His last race in Trois-Rivières ended with a 4th position, still in Formula Atlantic. Among the major achievements of Gilles Villeneuve, we could consider his second position in Formula 1 Challenge and his important implication in race sport. Gilles was inducted into the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières hall of fame in 1999. In Berthierville, a museum presents Gilles life with pictures, objects, and many more.

Born on April 2nd, 1952, Richard Spénard was one of the rare pilots to race in the two segments life of the Grand Prix, before 1985 and after 1989. He participated at 15 resumptions at the event of Trois-Rivières and he won 4 times. He was inducted at the hall of fame in 2004. 

Born in Medina Ohio on January 10, 1953, he won twice in 2 years at Trois-Rivières (1979-1980). We can say that he had a great career as a driver, as shown by his 3 championships in CART serie (1986-1987-1992) and with his victory in Indy 500. He is still involved in the the racing world, since he is the owner and director of a racing team in Indy Racing League.

Born on June 25th, 1949 in Paris, Patrick Tambay participated in a lot of race with the Formula Atlantic & Can-Am serie in Trois-Rivières, he even won in 1980 in this serie. Tambay was a racer that everyone liked and it is here, in Trois-Rivières, that he first met Gilles Villeneuve. Those two men became great friends, even that Gilles ask Tambay to be the godfather of his son Jacques. In 1982, he was ask to take his friends place  in F1, with the Ferrari team,  after his friends' death.  He won 2 Grand Prix in F1 during his glorious and long career in racing. He was inducted at the hall of fame in 2000.

Born on May 2nd, 1938, he’s one of the most present drivers in the first segment of Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières (1967 to 1985) with its 15 participations. Still today,  with a total of 8 victories, he holds the record of the highest number of victories on the trifluvien circuit. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998 to crown a long career filled with distinctions.

Born in LaSalle on August 13th, 1971, he has evolved in several series such as Formula Atlantic, CART, Champ Car and IRL. He also made a few appearances in Nascar Sprint Cup and in Nationwide. He has been, during a time, the idol of the fans of Grand Prix of Trois-Rivières. Because of his exceptional performances in Formula Atlantic. He holds several records in this series; with the highest number of accumulated points (239), the highest numbers of victory (9), record that he shares with Gilles Villeneuve, the driver who led in the most laps (302), etc. Still today, the public wants a return on the track of Patrick Carpentier on the circuit of the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivières.

Born on September 28th, 1959 in Windsor, Ontario, he was one of the most popular pilots of the trifluvian public throughout his career. This is how the crowd’s favorite has won his first victory in Grand Prix of Trois-Rivières in 1995 during the Trans-Am series. Among the exploits he achieved, including his victory in Nascar Nationwide Series at its first race in that series, at Lysol 200 at Watkins Glen in 1997. He became the first non-American to win an event in this series. He also won the American Le Mans Series championship in 2001 and  2003. Then he was victorious 3 times at the prestigious race of the 24 of Le Mans in 2001, 2002 and 2004. With a career like this, it's easy to understand why Ron Fellows attracted the public’s sympathy wherever he went.

Born in Lauzon, in Quebec on June 2nd, 1934. He won the very first Grand Prix of Trois-Rivières, in 1967. He also won the Quebec drivers' championship on numerous occasions. Motor sport has never been a secret for Jacques Duval since his childhood. He is also the founder of the popular book "Guide de l'automobile" and was editor-in-chief from 1967 to 2003.

Born on December 26th, 1935 in Toronto, he had a great career in motor sport.  Following a stay in Formule 1, he was more than triumphant in Formula Atlantic in the 70s winning the championship three consecutive years (1973-1974-1975). He had success in Trois-Rivières, as shown by his victory in 1998. Still today, Bill Brack is considered one of the top five Canadian drivers of all time. He was inducted  into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

Born on October 18th, 1972 in Montreal, he made his debut in Trois-Rivières in 1994 by participating in the event of SCCA Championship of F200, where he will end in 6th position. Subsequently, he will accumulate successes on the trifluvien circuit, as proven by its podium in 1996 and his 2 successives victories in 1997-1998 in Formula Atlantic. Wherever he goes during his career, Tagliani will accumulate more than honorable results and he will deserve to drive in several prestigious series.

Jacques Villeneuve is born in Berthierville, Québec on November 4, 1955. He came to Trois-Rivières for the first time in 1980 under the attentive eye of his brother Gilles. Already at his second start in Trois-Rivières, he wins the Formula Atlantic race and amazes the crowd. Jacques repeat this feat many times, for exemple his 5th victory at Trois-Rivières in 1991. Trois-Rivières welcomed Jacques Villeneuve for the last time in 1998 in Formula Atlantic.

Born on April 9, 1971 in a small city named Iberville located near St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, this popular driver is very appreciated by Trois-Rivières race fans for his several presences on the street circuit. Trois-Rivières has welcomed Jacques Villeneuve as far as a young driver in the Formula Atlantic  than an international recognized driver in the Nascar series in 2009. Jacques Villeneuve did very well in his two first races in Atlantic Formula in Trois-Rivières which helped him later on become a Formula 1 driver. He won the CART Championship in 1995, Indianapolis 500 in 1995 and the Formula One World Championship in 1997. Jacques Villeneuve is one of the most rewarded drivers who raced in Trois-Rivières after winning his titles.

Toronto native, David Empringham is born on December 11, 1963. He has won three of his twelve races at Trois-Rivières. The most important moment of his Trois-Rivières career is definitely the double victory in 1993 and 1994 in Formula Atlantic . For all his accomplishments in Trois-Rivières, David Empringham was inducted into the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières Hall of Fame in 2007.

Born on August 9th, 1944 in  Clermont-Ferrand, France, Patrick Depailler died during a private warm up at Hockenheim track in Germany on August first, 1980. Depailler is a part of the best international racers that came in Trois-Rivières. His status in the car races made his first appearance an outstanding event in 1974. As today, he's one of the legends of the Grand Prix, even a stand was named after him.

Born on August 29, 1947 in Belmont, England, he died on June 15, 1993 in Wimbledon, England. James Hunt came to Trois-Rivières only once in 1976 in Formula Atlantic, but his presence was exceptional, considering that he was the Formula 1 Champion in the same year.  It was an exciting race and concluded by a second position for Hunt, preceded by the young driver Gilles Villeneuve! James Hunt had a great career in Formula 1 and he helped Gilles to join the McLaren Cosworth team.