This item is no longer available. However, we may be able to connect you with its owner—who knows, they might accept your offer?—or, alternatively, suggest other items of similar interest, without any commitment. Contact us via WhatsApp: +55 31 98221-5758 or email: contato@glorias.com.br

The story of an improbable encounter between Ayrton Senna and two young Frenchmen in a small Belgian hotel.

• Ayrton Senna's autograph for a young Frenchman, the driver used the fan's ticket for the Spa-Francorchamps Formula 1 race.
• In French.
• 9.5 cm x 9 cm.
• Belgium, August 1992.
• In perfect condition.
• Unique piece.

Comes with a 5-page letter in French from the fan, translated here:

Allow me to introduce myself: Stéphane B., born in October 1967, from Coulommiers. I am a chef at a college in Alençon, married for 15 years, and a father of two children, a 16-year-old daughter and a son who will soon be 12.

In early 1992, I met my cousin Eric, nicknamed Looping (see the American series The A-Team to understand), a somewhat crazy character and also passionate about motorsport (F1, of course). He also had a beautiful Suzuki 1100 GSxr motorcycle with white and reddish-orange paint in Marlboro colors.

That day, I told him of my desire to share with him our weekend in Spa, a circuit he occasionally traveled to watch the F1 GP that takes place every year at the end of the year. I would like to point out that I was also the proud owner of a Yamaha 1200 XJB, a version that gave me thrills and adrenaline when I jumped on it to travel kilometers for fun. Ah, youth!

As the GP approached, Looping called me to ask if my desire was still relevant, and I answered affirmatively. Good timing.

Without GPS at the time, I let my cousin take the wheel of my 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.4 CLP Model with a dual-barrel carburetor, a powerful carburetor pump.

I don't remember the route well, we only passed through Ermenonville la mer de sable.

We arrived at the French-Belgian border and decided to buy our tickets there. A ticket office was set up as soon as we crossed into Belgium. This saved us from the rush for tickets at the circuit.

A hard blow, the ticket price: 600 francs, and that was only for the GP day. Eric said the price had increased a lot compared to the last time he had gone. It was with our precious ticket that we arrived near the circuit, not knowing what we were going to find. We were circling the area, and to our "great despair," we found spectators who were reselling tickets for 600 francs but for both race days… The reason for this "promotion" was that they had bought these tickets a month earlier, and they were waiting to go to bed to rest.

After visiting the circuit's surroundings, we reflected on the fact that we might find a hotel to spend the night. We had brought our sleeping bags to sleep in the car on March 1st, but prices could be low in Belgian villages.

And we set off on an adventure, in the early afternoon, skipping several meals. But, obviously, at such an event, rooms are booked in advance.

We entered a new village, Malmedy...

I don't remember the hotel-restaurant well, and we were already starting to leave when, suddenly, the boss, I think, offered us for a small sum (at least an adequate price) to stay for the night in a room reserved for apprentices. Okay, it works, it's either that or a party night!!

An employee comes to pick us up, takes us to our room, and in the conversation, he realizes that the night before, Ayrton Senna had come to dine at their place, at their restaurant.

This news didn't bother me, unlike my cousin who immediately asked him, not really believing, to let us know if he happened to come back.

Our weekend budget having taken a hit between the price of fuel, the ticket, and the room, we decided to have dinner out, in the city. After a pizza and a beer, we returned to the hotel; the next day would be busy, and we had to rest.

Suddenly, someone knocks on the door. Hey, were we making too much noise? Well, no! It's just the employee from this afternoon who came to tell us that Senna was back at the restaurant.

Looping, wearing a sweatshirt in the colors of his motorcycle. We both went downstairs "armed" with our GP tickets, determined to ask him for an autograph.

Ayrton Senna, a woman (quite beautiful), and a person accompanying them were there.

The end of dinner was already approaching. Time to ask an employee for a pen and a marker, essential materials for the precious autograph. In Eric's eyes, the champion arrives, and it is without any shame that we ask him to sign our respective tickets and, for Looping, a large autograph in indelible marker on a sweatshirt he promised never to wash again. A sacred relic!!

I said in English (emotion certainly) a "Good Luck" in Ayrton Senna's direction, something that according to my cousin still resonates, don't say (a superstition story?).

He leaves us, followed by this woman and, of course, the third person.

Watching them leave through the window, we saw him depart in great company aboard a gray Honda NX.

Of course, my cousin was over the moon. We returned to our room, managed to fall asleep despite some excitement, and after a good night's sleep, we ate in the dining room, with breakfast included in our room rate.

Early departure (and in a good mood) for Spa and its legendary circuit, this lot promised to be unique. Several races before the main race. I admit that, once the GP started, it's very impressive! The speed of the cars, the roar of the mechanics, that feeling of power that emerges, that's it! GP result: first victory for a certain Michael Schumacher, and as for our champion, he scored 2 points in the process.

End of the crazy weekend and return to Alençon via Coulommiers to drop off my cousin. And on the way back, Balaban, I abused my exhaust. For the first time, several hundred kilometers controlling acceleration just to spare our ears.

Except in tunnels, I accelerate like a driver, of course...

Back to work on Monday morning, eyes watery, not tired, but very proud and eager to tell about my stay in Belgium and this encounter with Ayrton Senna.

My colleagues are not jealous but envious. At that time, Senna was not just a driver, but THE driver everyone knew.

Now, when I tell this story, few (especially young people) know about it. It is obvious that this stay in Belgium will remain in my memory as long as my neurons allow it.

On May 1, 1994, a page of F1 was turned. Ayrton Senna was brutally killed. With some emotion, I remember this man who seemed accessible, simple, even modest to us. I think his attitude managed to elevate him to the height of a god in Brazil, his homeland.

The ticket, this ticket, has been kept for 28 years in an album, among other tickets from amusement parks and also car and motorcycle competitions.

I don't know why I am selling this autograph; money is not my main motivation, but I think it would make a person very happy by giving it to a true enthusiast, who will know how to highlight and honor this great driver.

Everything I write is true. It was the story of an improbable encounter with Ayrton Senna. 

Ayrton Senna (1960 - 1994) was a three-time Formula 1 world champion, became a national hero, and gave a country the possibility to dream. It is impossible to talk about the great characters of Brazilian culture without mentioning Ayrton Senna's name. The São Paulo native who began his career young, in kart races, won over the world with his maneuvers, but, mainly, with his values: overcoming challenges, dedication, and a taste for victory. 

Authentic Ayrton Senna autographs, in perfect condition and well-documented, are very rare. Only one or two appear on the market each year. An extensive letter, with many interesting details about Senna and this improbable encounter, comes with this exceptional piece.