Emanuel Marcel Lucien Balsa (born January 1, 1909, in Saint-Frion and died August 11, 1984, in Maisons-Alfort) was a French racing driver who raced during the early post-war years of motorsport.
Balsa’s racing career began after the Second World War when he purchased a Bugatti Type 51. The classic machine proved to be a strong choice, allowing him to establish himself as a competitive contender in French national racing events. Never one to stand still, he later constructed his own Formula 2 car powered by a BMW engine, a project that further strengthened his reputation as both a capable driver and an inventive competitor.
Looking to take another step forward, Balsa switched to a Jicey-BMW developed by Jean Caillas. Although the car showed promise, his time with it was short-lived. His best result came with a third-place finish at the Grand Prix of Cadours, a race remembered not only for his podium but also for the tragic death of fellow French racing driver Raymond Sommer.
Afterwards, Balsa returned to his previous Formula 2 car and, in 1952, took on one of motorsport’s toughest challenges by entering the 1952 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. Unfortunately, his race ended in retirement after just six laps. He remained active the following season and celebrated victory at Montlhéry in 1953, but after that success his appearances on the racing scene gradually became less frequent as he stepped away from top-level competition.
