BREAKING: Automotive journalist and racer Paul Frère seriously injured
We've just received word that racer and Road & Track contributor Paul Frère has been seriously injured in an accident near the Nürburgring. As reported by La Derniere Heure, the 89-year-old Frère was apparently involved in a heavy collision while driving a Honda Civic R. He is in a Frankfurt hospital with seven broken ribs, a shattered pelvis and two punctured lungs. The prognosis appears good, however. It is expected he will return to his home in France in October.
Frère raced on a semiprofessional basis for 15 years, including 10 Formula 1 races and the 24 Hours of Le Man, driving for Ferrari, Jaguar and Aston Martin. He also appeared in the 1966 film, Grand Prix. His greatest talent, however, lay in his ability to relate his experiences to others through the written word. Frère has contributed to many magazines, and has written several highly acclaimed books on his experiences in the automotive world.
[Source: La Derniere Heure via Hemmings]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
oliver 1:24PM (2/25/2008)
We've just received word that racer and Road & Track contributor Paul Frère has died yesterday at the age of 91.
We have published a drawing to pay tribute to this great driver on:
http://www.classicrallies.com/blog/index.php?/archives/1098-A-tribute-to-Paul-Frere.html
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Bullitt Mustang 9:52AM (9/21/2006)
There's two phrases you'll never hear in one sentence ever again, "89 year old" and "Honda Civic R"
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Richard 2:33PM (9/20/2006)
I have looked forward to Paul Frere's Letter From Europe every month in R&T since as far back as I can remember. His ability to accuratley discern and describe the characteristics of any car is, I think, amazing...pretty far beyond the average autozine writer.
I hope he heals fully and soon.
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Steve 2:29PM (9/20/2006)
Paul was one those rare writers. Honesty, integrity, unbiased, interesting and very professional.
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Richard Warren 2:48PM (9/20/2006)
Yep, a good guy!
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Drewboy 3:23PM (9/20/2006)
I hope the guy heals up alright. I had several broken ribs, broken pelvis, and a punctured lung from a wreck when I was 21, I can't imagine having to recover from that at his age!!! Must have been a side-impact like mine. Best wishes Paul, hopefully I'll get to read your column again soon!
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Tj Rubley 4:48PM (9/20/2006)
If it wasn't for Paul's column in R&T, I may have never discovered the greatness of European cars. He was the first to open my eyes to Alpina as it would be years before we'd see one in the U.S. officially.
Here's to a speedy recovery!
dc
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robcorn 5:10PM (9/20/2006)
Can you get us the name of the hospital in Frankfurt so we can send get well cards???? Thanx!
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spdracerut 1:50AM (9/21/2006)
Wow... Paul is certainly one of my favorite automotive writers... I hope he gets better soon!
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TPR 10:21PM (9/21/2006)
Paul's book, "Sports Car and Competition Driving," has sat proudly on my bookshelf for over forty years, between readings, that is. I used to read awhile, then go practice on a back road. The diagrams were perfect for teaching how to drive a fast line. It's still there, I checked. Time for a review and some more practice. Thanks, Paul, and get well soon! You and John Fitch keep us optimistic.
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Sean C 11:18PM (9/20/2006)
It's always sad to hear when somethign like this happens... But there's always a risk when your job entails pushing a car to it's limits.
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David 9:52AM (9/21/2006)
I too wish him well. That said, If I'm capable of writing well and driving high performance cars at 89, I'll gladly take whatever risks that come with it. In middle age, I look for role models for aging. There' are a lot, but in cars you can't do much better than Frere, Phil Hill, and Paul Newman.
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Mash 12:47PM (9/21/2006)
Honda must be pissed.
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s6racer 9:20PM (9/21/2006)
I am Japanese fan of him.
I want to see his report of high perfomance cars again.
And I hope HONDA has no responsibility for this accident.
I really wish his complete recovery soon.
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Phil Owen 2:31PM (1/14/2007)
I first met Paul Frère on a rally Georges Durand organised by the Autoclub du Sarthe in 1992 when we discussed Alvis design and patent holdings. His knowledge on the subject was remarkable. I have since read his books and what emerges from these and my conversations is a well informed, skilled and wonderfully sympathetic person. If only GP drivers were like him today - the sport would be a happier place.
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