Alain de Cadenet, Racer and TV Presenter, Died at the Age of 76 in California

Alain de Cadenet passed away in California at the age of 76 following a battle with cancer. He was a well-known Racer and TV Presenter

Listen to this news

Alain de Cadenet passed away in California at the age of 76 following a battle with cancer. He was a well-known Racer and TV Presenter.

Alain de Cadenet, who passed away last week in California at the age of 76 following a battle with cancer. He was one of the few race car drivers who were able to transition as naturally from the cockpit to the television camera.

Maxime de Cadenet, a lieutenant in the French Air Force, and his English wife, Valerie, welcomed their son Alain de Cadenet into the world in 1945, close to the end of World War II. He attended Framlingham College in England for his academic career before starting to race sports cars shortly after. In a recorded interview, he stated, "Although I got into it because I thought it would be a great way to get with women, I started to rather enjoy the racing." In 1966, he began his racing career.

His brilliance can though be judged from the fact that De Cadenet frequently preferred going his own way, driving cars he built and partially designed himself, at a time when factory support from manufacturers was becoming more and more common. De Cadenet went on to finish 12th overall in the 24 Hours of Le Mans after at one point he persuaded renowned designer Gordon Murray to develop a car for him. Third place was his best result at Le Mans.

Driving alongside Desire Wilson, who had previously competed in Formula 1, they took home two World Sportscar Championship victories in 1980—the Monza 1000 and Silverstone Six-Hour. He primarily raced Lolas that he frequently changed.

Soon after, De Cadenet found his way in front of the camera, where his sense of humor, learned delivery, and attractiveness made him the perfect TV host. He also had credibility because of his collections, which were largely Alfas, and his racing history. He frequently attended the best motor exhibitions.

He served as the host of several shows for the Velocity Channel, ESPN, and Speed Channel. The programme he is probably best remembered for hosting for Speed from 1996 to 2000 was "Legends of Motorsport," and he also oversaw the network's coverage of the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

He was the host of Speed's "Victory By Design" in the 2000s, a programme in which he drove and talked about antique racing automobiles. He served as the anchor of Velocity Channel's "Renaissance Man" in 2012.

In a tribute to de Cadenet, Wilson stated, "I have known Alain for 40 years." How gentlemanly. The best opportunity in my racing career came from him. As his co-driver, I helped him win the Monza 1,000 km and Silverstone Six Hour in 1980. That same year, we also finished third at the Brands Hatch 1000 km, which was my first WEC race. It was wonderful to see him at the Goodwood Revival races every year. The enjoyable moments, jokes, laughing, and his vigour will stay in my memory forever. I am aware that on the opposite side, a race car is waiting for him.

---

---