Historic Tour - Val de Vienne - Challenge Formula Ford Historic France - 2021

First lap action from the Formula Ford cars at Virage Trop-Tard.

 

This was my first time at the Circuit Val de Vienne but not my first time following the Historic Tour and certainly not my first time watching a Formula Ford race.  I saw my first FF race in 1968 and I was pleased to see at least one car from that era.  This circuit is not an easy one for amateur photographers due to the circuit being flat and surrounded by security high fencing with virtually no gaps and few mounds to watch from.  However, I was quite pleased with my pictures taken exclusively (for this race) from the steps of the bridges that cross the track.

The field was an international one with drivers from France, Switzerland, New Zealand, Belgium, Ireland, Great Britain, Spain and Germany.   The cars were also varied and represented the era from 1968 to 1981 when Formula Ford was a stepping stone up the ladder to Grand Prix racing.

All of the photos and the results mentioned are from Race 1 for the Formula Ford cars on Saturday afternoon September 4th.  The race lasted about 24 minutes and the leaders covered 13 laps of this 3.7km circuit.   I really enjoyed watching these cars, so I hope you enjoy the photos I took.  Thanks to the drivers for bringing these cars to what is now my local circuit.  All the classified finishers are shown below.  The non-classified car No.44, a 1978 Lola T540 can be seen on its only lap in the picture at the top of this blogpost.

The leaders on lap 1.  The circuit is sometimes called Deux Arbres or Le Vigeant,

The leaders exit Trop-Tard on lap 1.  They were to finish in this order with the Crosslé leading the Lola.

The field going through Le Ferme on lap one.

The winner, Gislain Genecand in a 1974 Crosslé 20F, in Virage La Ferme.

Second placed François Belle in a 1978 Lola T540E takes the left hander between Trop-Tard and La Ferme.

Taking the same corner is third placed Stéphane Brunetti in a 1971 Merlyn Mk20.  He won class A.

These two cars enjoyed a race long battle for third place.

The fourth placed 1971 Ray F71 of Alan Crocker.

Coming through a very tight left hander near the end of a lap is fifth placed Eric Lecluse in a 1971 Lotus 61F.

The race long battle for fifth place, seen here right near the end.  They finished almost this close.

The sixth placed 1976 Crosslé 30F of Bernard Richard.

These three cars had a close battle for seventh, eighth and ninth places.  Here Paul McMorran's 1972 Crosslé (55) leads Régis Prevost in a 1970 McNamara FCA Mk3 and Keith Davey in a 1980 Van Diemen RF80.

In tenth place was this 1970 Crosslé 16F driven by Federico Sanchez Bedoya.

The eleventh placed 1981 Crosslé 45F of Paul Walsh.

Rounding at the top twelve was Ludovic Ingwiller in a 1978 Van Diemen RF78.

Michel Dupont and a 1968 Dulon LD4.

Jean-Michel Clerc in a 1971 Merlyn Mk20A.

Frédéric Bourdat in a 1973 Van Diemen FA73.

Jean-François Comte in a 1971 Crosslé 20F.

Jean-François Bourgeois in a 1977 Hawke DL19.

Definitely my favourite FF car present was this 1970 Tecno FF driven by Kaï Schûlter.  A very rare car.

Another view of the Tecno FF.   Presumably an in-period F3 conversion.

The 1976 Royale RP21 of Vincent Missistrano entering Le Ferme.

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.

1971 Merlyn cutting the apex.