Mike Blanchet 1948-2022
All at Motorsport News were sad to learn that popular single-seater racer and Lola managing director Mike Blanchet passed away last week aged 74.
Blanchet started in hillclimbs in before switching to circuit racing in 1973. He finished second in 1975’s Formula Ford Festival.
His position as Lola sales manager and development driver meant he could not always complete full seasons. For example in 1978 Blanchet did not begin racing until June with his works prototype Lola FF2000, but still finished third in the standings with four race wins.
In 1979 Blanchet graduated to British Formula 3 with a Lola T770, competing in the category until 1984.
Journalist Sam Smith told MN: “Mike was one of the most respected staffers at Lola I can recall. The reason for that was that he was such a great enthusiasm for the sport and someone who, whether he was driving – and he was a very capable and quite underrated driver – or he was selling cars in his commercial role at Lola, he was just so engaging and committed to the sport he loved so much.
“His contact book was supreme. Whenever he was at an industry event he would know everyone in the room and they knew him. Above all I remember him as a great listener and someone who was always aware of what was going on even when he slowed down a bit more in recent years.”