While in his early twenties, Michel Poberesjky, born 1930 in Neuilly, one of the wealthiest Parisian suburbs, decided to become a racing driver and bought an Aston DB2 from the French importer,
Majestic Automobiles, with whom he also signed a technical support contract. He chose the DB2
Vantage, chassis number 'LML/50/155', engine number 'VB6B/50/1052', a right-hand drive model with Perspex rear windows, which was registered '72 BH 75' under his name in Paris in 1952. He assumed the racing name of 'Mike Sparken' so that his mother, who suffered from a heart condition, would be unaware of his racing activties.
He soon tasted success, finishing first in a race at Monthléry in 1952, and became great friends with Hermano da Silva Ramos, who also decided to buy a DB2, as well as with Peter Collins who had come to live in Paris to promote Aston Martin sales. Soon, they formed a close-knit group of friends who enjoyed the good life in Paris. They often met at the offices of