The 2017 edition of the French Circuits Historic Championship has taken off under an azure sky and in a great atmosphere, shared by more than 15.000 spectators!
Trophée GT Classic
Race 1
The GT Classic Trophy sees its number of enthusiast progress at the beginning of the season, which augurs a good future for this category.
French Champion Franck Morel imposed his Viper GTS-R - #121 in this first round which marked the entry into effect of a new format of race of 40 mn to one or two drivers. A good distance from the winner, Jean-Marie Belleteste / Martin O'Connell (Porsche 993 GT2 - #43) and Laurent Sabatier (Porsche 993 GT2 - #51) complete the podium.
Race 2
Imperial as the day before, Franck Morel adds a line to his long list of successes. Despite his efforts, the Franco-English duo Jean-Marie Belleteste / Martin O'Connell must once again be satisfied with the place of second in about ten seconds. On the other Porsche 993 GT2, Laurent Sabatier finished third despite a drive through ahead of Gillian Garret / Jean-Christophe Dos Santos (Caterham - #21), winners in the GTC2 category like Patrice Faurie in GTC3 (Porsche 964 Cup - #46) and Jean -Pascal Roche / Pascale Roche in GTC4 (Porsche 928 S - #905)). For the first appearance in the trophy of his Toyota Supra IV - #6, Marc Louail was unlucky having been forced to stop when he started the race in 3rd position.
Asavé Racing 65
By adopting a one-hour race format for this year, the Asavé Racing 65 seems to have met the expectations of as many people as possible. The exceptional entry list gathered at the Castellet tends to demonstrate it.
The race
From the start, a determined duel for victory took shape between the tandem Didier Gruau / Claude Boissy (TVR Griffith 400 - #10) and Ludovic Caron (Cobra Shelby 289 - #12 - châssis #CSX2127). The first ones eliminated halfway, the multiple winner of the Tour Auto won with a lap ahead of Phil Harper (Cobra Shelby 289 - #21). Occupied by the Beltramelli father and son (Chevrolet Corvette 396 - #69) at the start of the race, the 3rd place came down in the end to an excellent Thibault Lagarrigue (Lotus Elan - #31). Following the first car of Tourism: the Ford Mustand - #165 on which took turns the beginner Eric Roturier and the returning Gérard Bacle.
Trophée Saloon Car
Race 1
As expected after his record time tests, Gilles Ceron imposed his "terrific" Chevrolet Monza - # 75 at the end of a race curtailed by a red flag. Without further surprise, Alain Derognat (BMW 323iE30 - #63) and Fabrice Lefebvre (Audi Quattro Replica - #1) completed the winning tiercé of this first day.
Race 2
Never worried in race 1, Gilles Ceron was not more in this second confrontation. Alain Derognat forced to go back to his stand, second place this time fall to Fabrice Lefebvre. Patrick Fuet (BMW 323C - #87) took the opportunity to invite himself on the podium.
Challenge GT/Tourisme Asavé
Race 1
The poleman, Franck Morel (Porsche Turbo 3.3 - # 89), betrayed by the mechanics of his car, let this first race to dispute without him. Ghislain Gaubert (Porsche 2.8 RSR - #28) took the opportunity to won this first victory in front of John Doe and his magnificent Ford Capri 3.4 - #121.
Race 2
In the absence of Frank Morel, Ghislain Gaubert doubles the lead at the wheel of its "psychedelic" decoration Porsche. At a distance, Alex Meynard (Porsche 911 SC 3.0 - #27) made it a one-two finish for the Stuttgart brand.
Trophée Maxi 1000
Race 1
Only credited with the 3rd time in the tests, Philippe Gandini (JEM mini GT - #9) took his revenge in the race leading the debates until the interruption of this one with two laps of the duration envisaged. Jean-François Besson (Alpine A110 - #111) and poleman Laurent Majou ( Austin Cooper S - #99) joined him on the podium.
Race 2
Already crowned the day before, Philippe Gandini realized a no-fault in the Sunday race. Jean-François Besson victim of an engine break while leading the race, this time imposed his little Jem before the Cooper S of his companion Laurent Majou
SportProtosCup
Race 1
After retaining the command during the 10 laps of the race, Frédéric Da Rocha (LUCCHINI BMW 3L - #15) won the first round of the SportProtosCup 2017, not without having been worried by Ludovic Caron (Chevron B31 Ford Cosworth - #27) on the end. With more than 20 '', Serge Kriknoff (LOLA T212 Ford Cosworth - #16) climbed to the 3rd place, while Gérard Paganin (GRAC MT16B Ford - #96) saved a top 5 despite a drive through.
Race 2
At the wheel of his powerful Lucchini BMW 3L engine, Frédéric Da Rocha reiterated his victory the day before, again ahead of Ludovic Caron, whose Chevron B31 was aligned in his time (1978) to the 24 hours of Le Mans. Serge Kriknoff completed the tiercé of the day again on another historical proto: a Lola T212 ex Helmut Marko. 6th, "Nelson" (March 81S Ford - #51) won the category of Sport Protos 2000. In the lead trio at the start of the race, Franck Metzger (CESCA 740 Ford Cosworth - #8) had to give up due to gearbox issue.
Challenge Formula Ford Historic
Race 1
Guillaume Blancardi (VAN DIEMEN RF 80 – Ford – #88) performs remarkable entrance in the Challenge Formula Ford Historic. Credited to the pole, the newcomer (as former Formula Ford «modern» rider) missed his departure, then quickly recaptures the command at the expense of Xavier Michel (CROSSLE 32 F – Ford – #16) and retains the advantage on it until the finish. Returning aboard a Lola T540, Swiss Pierre-Alain Lombardi (LOLA T 540 – Ford – #3) completed this first podium at 2.5 ''. Among the drivers of F3 1000 cm3 invited to join this race, the victory returns to the Marseillais Thierry Gallo (TECNO 67 - Ford Cosworth - #120 ex JP Jaussaud).
Race 2
Already winner of the Saturday race, Guillaume Blancardi did it again and won the second extremely disputed run. Behind, the next six drivers, led by Pierre-Alain Lombardi and François Belle, pass under the checkerboard grouped in 6 ‘‘! Among them, Xavier Michel, ephemeral leader at the beginning of the race, finished 5th. Brady Beltramelli (Russel Alexis Mk14 - #69) won in category A and the Swiss Christophe Widmer (Brabham BT18A Ford - #63) in the class F3 1000 cm3.
Trophée Formule Ford Kent
Race 1
Unlucky in Formula Ford Historic, Gislain Genecand (Van Diemen RF92 1600 - #10) took his revenge in Formula Ford Kent. Leader from start to finish, the Swiss driver achieved the first victory of the 2017 trophy by crossing the finish line 3.6 '' ahead of titleholder Nicolas Beloou (Van Diemen RF90 1600 – #12). Andy Sprimont (Mygale SJ03 1800 – #80) won the Ford Zetec category, while Xavier Michel places his Crosslé F30 – #11 at the head of the "GHI" class, the oldest single-seaters.
Race 2
The Formula Ford races follow each other and look alike. In keeping with of the race of Saturday, Nicolas Beloou and Gislain Genecand cross swords a long moment, exchanging their positions at the top of the pack. Between them two, the result of the race is decided in the last lap to the advantage of the Swiss driver, thus remained undefeated during the weekend. At ten seconds, Maxime Lebreton (Van Diemen RF90 1600 - #15) completed the podium. Concerning the Ford Zetec Formula Andy Sprimont preserves the advantage in front of Eric Heudicourt (Mygale SJ03 1800 - #84) and Frédéric Queré (Van Diemen RF01Z – #3), whereas Michel Kozyreff (Reynard 88FF 1600 - #19) won the pot in the “pré 90” class.
Trophée F3 Classic
Race 1
First leader, the poleman Matthieu Châteaux (RALT RT3 VW – #17) stepped aside behind the young Danish Michael Ringstrom (MARCH 753 Toyota – #211) at the halfway then, after a short neutralization, took back his property in the last lap.
Behind both men, Davide Leone (RALT RT3 VW – #81) confirms his velocity of qualifying rounds by reaching the podium.
For his first single-seater race, Fabrice Lheritier (CHEVRON B/43 Toyota – #21) signed a beautiful exploit by rallying to the 4th place on the Chevron, before being penalized for an overtaking under safety car.
Race 2
In the afternoon, the race 2 gave rise to a new duel between Matthieu Châteaux and his Danish rival. Briefly pointing in the lead, the latter capitulated a second time, not without having marked the run with his imprint.
Among the other newcomers Trophée F3 Classic, also featured a Carlos Antunes Tavares, the boss of PSA, had set his sights on a Chevron B47 – #15 for his debut in the category.
Trophée Formule Renault Classic
Races 1 & 2
Evolving a notch above his opponents, Antoine Robert (MARTINI MK48 - #13) monopolized the place of leader of the first in the last lap. A long time in the second rank, "Nelson" (MARTINI MK51 - #75) lost the benefit of his beautiful race in the last lap, leaving Fabrice Porte to recover the second step of the podium in front of Jean-Christian Darlot (MARTINI MK33 - #40).
The afternoon race ended with another success of Antoine Robert, always followed by Fabrice Porte. Pierre Lemasson (MARTINI MK41 - #32) was this time invited to join them on the podium.
Trophée Lotus
Race 1
Already the author of the best performance in qualifying, Pascal Metayer inaugurates the prize list of the season 2017 in front of Florent Cazalot and Dominique Vulliez, neck and neck until the finish. Leader at the beginning of the race, the defending champion Xavier Jacquet held the future winner in disrespect before committing a fatal spins out.
Race 2
After 25 minutes of a determined battle in the head quartet, Pascal Metayer wins his second victory of the weekend. In his immediate wake, Florent Cazalot took advantage of the last lap to oust Xavier Jacquet from the second place and renew his performance of the day before. Dominique Vulliez places his Caterham in 4th place after having had the merit of ran the first lap in front.
Guests
Legends Cars Cup
David de Saeger and Frédéric Morel were the two winners of Saturday's sprint races.
Initially dominated by Frédéric Morel, endurance race turned to the final advantage of Claude Watteyne. With a lead of 6.3 '', the Belgian driver took the lead ahead of Theo Bourgogne, while Frédéric Morel had to satisfied with the third place.
Parade
A parade was also organized, allowing the abundant public (more than 15 000 spectators) to admire beautiful bodies and some rare models.
My favorites of the week end.
Exceptionally it is not one but two cars that are found in this section.
An old and a novelty.
The old one, engaged in Maxi 1000, is a Mean Sonora 1300 cc driven by Patrick LANSIER.
Produced from 1966 to 1972, in Belgium, at more or less 150 specimens with various engines in central position.
"Our" owns a Ford engine, a Renault 16 TS gearbox and various parts of Alpine, Renault...
You will find here some pictures of the one that attracted my curiosity.
The second is much more modern, comes from Mexico.
The Vuhl is a road-legal lightweight supercar, Spyder two-seater without windscreen, powered by a 2 liters 4-cylinder turbocharged 285 HP.
Maximum speed 245 Km / h, 0-100 Km / h in 3.4 "
Exhilarating performance isn't it ?
(Based on Histo Racing Press release)