Rouen-les-AFX: May 2017

Tuesday, 30 May 2017

Course de Côte Nationale Production Saint-Goueno Côtes d'Armor 2017

Very spectacular driving from Romain Richardeau in his Simca Rallye III who won his class,

At the Saint-Goueno Hillclimb, after the VHC cars came the Production cars taking part in the CFM or Championnat de France de la Montagne. This featured a variety of cars including everything from little Citroen Saxos to powerful McLarens, Porsches and Lamborghinis. Some cars were quite new but some were as old as the VHC cars. Many different classes and categories were involved, so lots of winners. As usual many old guys driving these cars but good to see a few young ones like Pierre Courroye in his McLaren. He was very impressive and even got into the top ten cars overall. Below are some of my favourite CFM production car pictures from the first Saturday afternoon runs at Saint-Goueo.

The McLaren MP4 12C finished a great ninth overall and was fastest Production car. So McLaren may not have won at Monaco or Indy but they won at St Goueno!

The Lamborghini Gallardo of Philippe Schmitter pleases the crowd around the beer tent. Notice the Union Jack and Irish flags.

The Porsche 997 GT2 of Christian Schmitter who finished twentieth overall.

The BMW M3 E92 of Yannick Poinsignon.

Rudy Ginard in his Lotus Exige who finished slowest of the CFM Championship runners.

The Nissan Almera KitCar of Michel Bineau.

Daniel Rault in his Renault Mégane.

The CG Simca Turbo of Christophe Poinsignon.

The rapid Scora Maxi of Geoffrey Carcreff.

The Jidé of Xavier Burgevin.

Unusual to see a Renault 8 Gordini not painted blue. Here is the example of Rodolphe Jacquette.

For picture of the Sports and Formula cars fighting for overall victory, click on this link.

For pictures of the VHC classic racing cars at Saint Goueno, click here.

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost. However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page.

The rear mounted engine of the fast Simca Rallye.

Monday, 29 May 2017

Course de Côte Nationale VHC Saint-Goueno Côtes d'Armor 2017

The Tiga SC80 of Fernand Santarelli about to enter the final corner at Saint-Goueno. He was to finish a good second.

Kicking off the Saint-Goueno program on Saturday and Sunday was the fifth round of the 2017 Championnat de France de la Montagne VHC. VHC stands for Véhicules Historique de Compétition or classic racing cars from the sixties, seventies and eighties to you and me. Only twelve cars took part but there was a good variety of types of car and some were driven with gusto. The pictures below, of all the participants, were taken during the two practice runs on Saturday when it was dry. I have to say that Saint-Goueno is a great 3.2 kilometre hillclimb venue and spectators have a lot of access up the hill. It was my first time there but I intend to return.

The Martini Mk32 of Roger-Serge Toupence. He was the fastest of the VHC cars on Saturday and again on Sunday.

Last year's champion of the open cars was Jean-Marc Debeaune in his Van Diemen RF82. He was fast again at Saint-Goueno but could only manage third.

The Royale RP24 of Michel Ritzenthaler is seen here at the Fer du Cheval hairpin.

Alain Gadal drove his Porsche 911 RS 3L in a very spirited fashion. He is seem here exiting the final corner. He was the fastest closed car on Saturday and Sunday and an excellent fourth overall.

Ladies champion for the past few years has been Viviane Bonnardel in her Volkswagen Scirocco. She was top lady again at Saint Goueno in ninth place.

The eighth placed Ford Mustang GT of Christian Agostini.

The Alpine A110 of Jean-Claude Demessine that came sixth on scratch.

Philippr Brebant was seventh in his Alpine A110 at the Fer du Cheval.

The Jide Originale of Gabriel Lejeune that finished fifth.

The Jide earlier in the day in the paddock.

VHC cars in the paddock including the VW Golf GTi of Dominique Brulat.

For pictures of the Championship Sports and Racing Cars fighting for overall victory at St Goueno, click here.

For pictures of the fast French production cars at Saint Goueno in 2017, click here,

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost. However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

Roger Guelpa in his Porsche 911 SC at the hairpin. He finished tenth.

Monday, 8 May 2017

4ème Vintage Revival Montlhéry 2017

Two wonderfully period dressed gents stand on the pre-grid for one of the plateau.

VRM or Vintage Revival Montlhéry is rather unique. The setting is France's pre-eminent pre-war circuit complete with banking. Drivers such as Benoist, Chiron, Varzi, Caracciola, Campari, Sommer and Wimille won the French GP here between 1925 and 1937. The variety of cars and motor cycles that this event attracts is amazing. Most people see marques they have never even heard of, let alone have seen before. The organisation is not too formal, everyone is very friendly and they are plenty of spectators who come dressed in period costume. There is no actual racing any more at the Linas-Montlhéry Autodrome but there are lots of high speed demo runs. All in all a wonderful way to spend the weekend. Unfortunately, I spent just a short two hours there on Sunday afternoon. Must allocate more time when the event returns in two year's time.