Yvonne Simon
Yvonne Marie Louise Simon (nee Hémart) was a French racing driver who participated in rallying, circuit races and endurance racing. Biography. Yvonne Marie Louise Simon (née Hémart) was born on 6 December 1910 in Charmont-sous-Barbuise, France. Other sources incorrectly report that she was born in 1917, in Troyes, Champagne-Ardenne or on 6 December 1906 in Charmont, Aube, France. Simon died on 16 August 1992 in Saint-Martin-de-Ré. Racing career. Simon's racing career spanned the years from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s. One of her earliest racing appearances was in the 1937 Rallye  Paris – Saint-Raphaël Féminin. Although she did not win in 1937, she placed second on her first attempt and would go on to win this event four times, finishing first in the last race held prior to World War II in 1939, and in three consecutive events after the war in 1952, '53, and '54. Simon won the first running of a new event arranged in 1939. Racing drivers Anne-Cécile Itier and Jean Delorme formed the Union Sportive Automobile (USA). The USA launched a one-make racing series for women to be held prior to major Grand Prix events . On 11 June 1939 Simon won the inaugural race in the Championnat féminin de l'Union Sportive Automobile driving a Renault Juvaquatre on the Péronne circuit prior to the running of the Picardy Grand Prix. Simon made two appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, driving a 2 L Ferrari 166 MM both times. Racing record. Circuit racing. Grand Prix of Riems Bari Grand Prix Monza Grand Prix Nimes Grand Prix Rallys. Rallye Paris - Saint-Raphaël Féminin: Lyon - Chamonix Rally Monte Carlo Rally Endurance racing. Paris 12 Hours Spa 24 Hours 24 Hours of Le Mans Mille Miglia  12 Hours of Reims Bol d'Or