We mourn the death of Patrick Folléas

15. January 2020The truck racing fraternity is in deep shock at the sudden passing of Patrick Folléas in his home city Lyon. He was only 54.
Patrick Folléas’ entire life revolved around trucks. BFT, the transport and truck rental enterprise he founded over 30 years ago, today employs more than 60 people and owns a fleet of around 300 trucks, including some heavy tractors. The company even operates its own container terminal at the Port de Lyon on the Rhône.
Patrick Folléas caught the truck racing virus early in life. The Frenchman would attend as many races as he could, amassing a treasure of merchandise and memorabilia, right from fan shirts to a race truck. When, in 2012, Austrian Egon Allgäuer put his team up for sale, Folléas saw his opportunity to realise a long-cherished dream and established the Lion Truck Racing outfit. The evocatively liveried Lyonnais Lions went on to collect six French titles, in the hands of young German pilotess Steffi Halm and then Folléas’ compatriot Antony Janiec. In addition, Lion cub Téo Calvet was the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile’s pick for young driver of the year for the last two seasons running.
The year gone by crowned Folléas’ eight campaigns, Janiec and Calvet finishing the 2019 Championnat de France Camions first and third in the standings.
Lion Truck Racing was also a frequent starter in the FIA European championship, Antony Janiec competing in the top league (Titan) on every appearance.
The death of the inveterate enthusiast was a bolt from the blue for his family, his employees, and for all of us his friends in the sport. Truck racing has lost one of its leading lights. Patrick Folléas leaves behind a void that’s going to be hard to fill.