Jean de Montrémy

[2] In 1937–38 the apéritif-distilling Hémard family acquired a controlling interest in Monopole, an automobile parts manufacturing company based in Poissy.

[1] To promote the company's products, he established Écurie Monopole, and designed and built racing cars for them.

de Montrémy also raced the cars himself, driving Monopoles in several major events, most notably at Le Mans, from 1947 to 1955.

In 1952 de Montrémy was appointed race director at Le Mans, and it was in that capacity rather than as a driver that he saw his X84 model win the Performance Index and the eighteenth Biennial Cup for the third year running, becoming the only manufacturer to achieve three consecutive victories.

[5][6] de Montrémy's first appearance at La Sarthe was at the 1949 24 Hours of Le Mans where he and brother-in-law co-driver Jean Hémard finished twelfth and won their class.