16/6/1894 - 6/10/1991
Record updated 09-Mar-23
Born in Sancey-Le-Grand Passed away in Baume-les-Dames
French car driver , originally a Grand Prix driver then quickly and essentially endurance , then became boss of a car team.
Raced from 1931 to 1954His personal career behind the wheel in competition took place between 1928 ( Grand Prix de la Marne , on a Salmson cyclecar already at the age of 34) and 1956 ( Tour de France automobile , on a Renault Dauphine ).
In 1930, he was second in the first edition of the Grand Prix du Matin cyclecars in Dieppe , in Caban Ruby behind José Scaron .
In 1932, he finished seventh in the Comminges Grand Prix on a Salmson and he participated with this car in the German Grand Prix .
He entered the Bol d'Or automobile six times between 1930 and 1949, an event in which he placed second in 1933 and 1947, and third in 1949, as well as six times in the top six.
He himself competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans fourteen times between 1931 and 1954, notably with Yves Giraud-Cabantous for his last appearance, obtaining category victories three times, in 1931 ( 1.1 L , on Caban Spéciale, and sixth overall with Fernand Vallon ), 1934 ( 5 L , with Daniel Porthault on Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 despite a retirement, only other competitor in the class a Bugatti T50S ), and 1937 ( 1.1 L , on Simca, twelfth overall with Suzanne Largeot .
In 1948, he was still third in the Grand Prix des Frontières Sport , riding Riley Sprite.
Associated with the industrialist Jean Pairard 1 , he became a car preparer from 1952 to 1959. The two men then developed on a Renault 4CV base, their Vernet-Pairard prototypes , with bodies from the Antem company , owner in a Tank version of eight international records, obtained on the Linas-Montlhéry autodrome in 1952.
Following its display on the Renault stand at the Paris Motor Show , it was entered in Coupé version five times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1953 to 1957 (car 14th in 1956 with Dumazer and Campion, as VP 166R (de) ). Vernet was at the wheel of his VP 166R in 1953 and 1954 during the event.