There are racing cars that win championships, and others that change history. The March 76B-003 is part of the latter category.
It is with great pleasure that the Shawinigan Auto Club announces that the March 76B-003, in the colors of Direct Film, will take to the track during the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve’s victory at Trois-Rivières in Formula Atlantic.
When the owner, Dominique Cossette, decided to acquire this car, it was neither an investment nor a trophy intended to remain hidden in a private collection. He bought it because he deeply believed that this heritage should continue to live. His dream was simple: to bring this car back to the public and allow Joanne Villeneuve, Gilles’ widow, to see the car that accompanied Gilles in one of the most beautiful periods of their lives once again on the track, fifty years later.
Dominique Cossette’s commitment to the legacy of Gilles Villeneuve remains intact. This March does not belong to him only as owner. In his eyes, she also belongs to the history of Quebec, to our sporting heritage and to all those who were thrilled by the courage, talent and authenticity of Gilles.
Ultimately, the greatest gift that Mr. Cossette wishes to offer is to present the car to the public and to racing fans of the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix. He also wishes to allow Joanne Villeneuve to see this March 76B-003 return to the track in Trois-Rivières, fifty years after having accompanied Gilles in the extraordinary adventure which changed their lives. Mr. Cossette wants to offer her, and the public of Trois-Rivières, a moment of happiness and memories, a moment where the sound of the engine will bring back to life, for a few moments, part of their history.
The Shawinigan Auto Club team designated Bertrand Godin as the most representative Quebec driver to do the lap of honor in memory of Gilles at the GP3R. “For us, Bertrand is the driver most representative of the generation of drivers who were inspired by Gilles. His journey is similar, on an emotional level, and Bertrand has always said loud and clear that Gilles had inspired him to become a racing driver. We are convinced that the racing fans who will be present this Sunday will experience a great moment when the car crosses the Duplessis gate, in the hands of Bertrand. This exceptional moment will bring the Gilles-Villeneuve summer to a wonderful close,” mentions Dominique Cossette, from the Shawinigan Auto Club.
Bertrand Godin, for his part, was very moved when he heard the news. “I am honored to have been chosen to represent the drivers of this generation who were inspired by Gilles. I will savor every moment of this lap of honor, which will remain engraved in my memory forever. It is a gift that we wish to offer to GP3R enthusiasts, those who knew and were inspired by Gilles, but also those who knew him less and who will be able to appreciate his impact 50 years later. »Joanne Villeneuve and Bertrand Godin will be on site from the opening of the Trois-Rivières Grand Prix, this Sunday, August 9, to meet the public. Come meet them and see the car in the Direct Film colors under the Shawinigan Auto Club tent, near the Mayor’s Cup paddocks (facing the NASCAR paddocks).
Around 1:30 p.m., the public and the media are invited to come and hear the engine of the March 76B-003 while Bertrand Godin will take his first spin aboard the legendary car, leaving from the Shawinigan Auto Club tent towards the finish/start line. The lap of honor will take place around 2 p.m. before the start of the NASCAR race. In case of rain, please refer to the instructions that will be provided by the GP3R. Be part of this historic gathering and remembrance this Sunday, August 9 for GILLES VILLENEUVE DAY.
THE STORY OF MARCH 76B-03 – DIRECT FILMLittle reminder of the events of a champion. During the 1976 season, Gilles Villeneuve won the CASC’s Player’s Challenge Series & IMSA’s Formula Atlantic championship. He won nine of ten races with the No. 69 Canada March 76B-03 car. The only race he did not win was at the Westwood circuit, east of Vancouver. In the rain, Gilles drove his second 76B vehicle. However, during the race, a mechanical problem occurred and he had to retire. Otherwise, Villeneuve was unbeatable with this vehicle. He won races against young racers like Tom Klausler, Bobby Rahal and Price Cobb, not to mention the double championship against Bill Brack. That said, the biggest accomplishment of his season undoubtedly came during the annual Trois Rivières race, which was a special non-championship event. That day, he faced even tougher competition than the previous ones, ahead of Formula 1 stars like James Hunt, Alan Jones and the Italian driver Vittorio Brambilla, champion of the previous year. The latter were all rebuffed. Gilles Villeneuve qualified in pole position and won the race, beating his nearest opponent by 10 seconds. This victory launched Villeneuve’s international career. Hunt, for his part, returned to England, impressed by the young Quebec racer. For the official opening of the Historic Formula of the Atlantic series, the Legend March of Villeneuve will be driven by Dan Marvin, himself a former Trois Rivières champion. He is also the only driver to have had a faster time than Gilles Villeneuve, which allowed him to qualify during the 1976 season. Marvin won the best place at Laguna Seca with his Lola T-360 and his team, Jon Norman Racing. It is this same team that restored the March and brought it to Trois-Rivières during the weekend of June 13 and 14, 2026, for the Élégance Trois-Rivières event.