Club Lotus in France has lost its President d'Honneur. Gérard Crombac -- dubbed "Jabby" by his UK friends -- died on 18 November 2005 aged 76. With him died another connection with Colin Chapman and the early days of Lotus.
His passion for racing revealed itself early: he lost his first job when his employer recognised him acting as a mechanic in a race when his photo was printed in the local paper -- when he was supposed to be working.
In the summer of 1949, he started work as a journalist covering races throughout Europe -- he was reported as describing it as a good move because it meant he didn't have to pay to get into races. He then started his own autosport magazine in France, Sport Auto, where he was editor-in-chief for 20 years.
His passion for the creations of Colin Chapman's Lotus led him to buy a Mark IV in 1953. He found his way to Hornsey to take delivery of the car and to meet Chapman. The two men got on well, and their friendship lasted until Chapman's death in 1982, while Crombac's passion for the Lotus marque lasted until his own death. He's been described as "instrumental" in getting Lotus set up in France.
Through Chapman, he met Jim Clark, who drove for the Lotus F1 team in the 1960s, and with whom he also struck up a friendship.
As a form of homage, in 1986, Jabby published "Colin Chapman: The Man and His Cars". More recently, Crombac continued working as a motoring correspondent, focusing on F1.
Club Lotus France's obituary (see link below) described him as always recognisable by his tweed cap and pipe. He'll be missed by the automotive community here, and in France.
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