Rouen-les-AFX: September 2023

Saturday 23 September 2023

Circuit des Remparts 2023 - Plateau Jean-Pierre Beltoise - GT & GTS Avant 1966

A Mini gets it all wrong in practice under braking but the others get by.

Jean-Pierre Beltoise was often a guest at the Circuit des Remparts before his death in 2015 and now has a plateau named after him. This plateau is for GT and Touring cars of types that existed before 1966.

There were 20 cars present of which 4 were entered by British drivers.

Damien Kohler won and took fastest lap in this unusual 1965 Diva F10. These cars/kit cars were built in South London. I think this one has a 1.6L Ford Cortina engine. It has been a regular at Angoulême over the years.

Second was a 1965 Lotus Elan driven by "Maverick".

Richard Wilson took third place in a 1974 MG MGB. Here he is followed by a 1965 MGB Roadster in practice.

Fourth was this 1966 Marcos Mini driven by Ludovic Desnoux. Following him is the sixth placed 1976 Mini of Frédéric Bancaud.

This 1965 Alfa Romeo Sprint GT was fifth driven by Philippe Baert.

Seventh was this 1962 Austin Healey 3000 driven by François Thibaud.

Another Marcos Mini, this one from 1968, finished eighth driven by Jean-François Bardet.

Ninth was Bruno Rigou in a 1960 Volvo PV544.

Tenth was a 1969 Lotus Elan +2 driven by Fabien Lasaires. Unusual to see the +2 on track. Following ia a 1950 Jaguar XK120 driven by Nigel Weeb and a 1959 MGA driven by Nicolas Lyford.

Nick Leston (son of Les) in a 1959 Riley 1.5.

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 à condition de créditer le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com, et de fournir un lien vers cette page.

This Abarth 1000TC proved unreliable.

Louis Dumoussaud works on his 1959 Austin Healey Sprite Sebring in the paddock.

The Sebring Sprite during the race.

The Abarth.

Kohler on his way to victory in the Diva.

Thursday 21 September 2023

Circuit des Remparts 2023 - Plateau Marc Nicolosi / Bugatti

The Plateau Marc Nicolosi featured a field of pre-war Bugattis and a sole Delage (No.4).

This plateau was named after the late Marc Nicolosi who founded Le Salon Rétromobile and did much to instil a love of old cars in France. He was also a Bugatti lover. This year there were 16 pre-war Bugattis present and racing and a sole Delage of the same epoch. I particularly loved seeing the Delage.

The track pictures are from practice and the others are from the dummy grid in the paddock just before the race.

The race lasted 15 laps of the 1.28km circuit and 5 cars remained on the lead lap and 15 were classified. The only UK driver in the field was utterly dominant. All the other drivers were French, most of whom race less regularly than Bo.

Bo Williams was dominant in his 1926 Bugatti Type 35B. His fastest lap was nearly 5 seconds faster than anyone else who finished. Glad to see an open face helmet and goggles.

Bo Williams waiting in the paddock for the start of the race.

Second was Arnaud Graignic in a 1925 Bugatti type 35.

Arnaud Graignic stands beside his car in the paddock.

Third was Philippe Bouleau in this 1929 Bugatti Type 37A.

Philippe Bouleau in his Bugatti on the dummy grid.

Marion Bordes came fourth in this 1931 Bugatti type 51.

Alexandre Moreau Lespinard sits on his 1933 Bugatti Type 51 in the paddock.

Fifth placed Alexandre Lespinard is the second car in line for this hairpin.

Sixth place went to Patrice Cousseau in a 1926 Bugatti Type 51.

In seventh place was Delage 1500 S8 driven by Benjamin Bessade. The program had it down as 1936 which seems rather late but I suppose that was when Price Chula had Rubery Owen create chassis No.5 from components of No.4 and the engine of No.2. I know that the Bessades own Chassis No.5. (source - MotorSport magazine January 2023). These Delages originally dominated the 1927 season.

In eighth place was Paul Emile Bessade in his 1932 Bugatti Type 51.

Arnaud Dupin sitting in his 1926 Bugatti Type 35 in the paddock. He finished tenth.

Karine Blanchard (centre) chatting to the other drivers. She finished 13th in a Bugatti T37.

Jean-François Dumousseaud standing next to his 1931 Bugatti T51.

Bernard Bonron was the last classified finisher in this 1931 Bugatti T51.

Alain Plasch was the second fastest competitor in his 1931 Bugatti Type 51 but only completed 6 laps.

Eric Alvergnat waiting for the start in this 1926 Bugatti T35B. He didn't complete a lap.

Bugattis during practice at Angoulême.

The Bugatti T51 of J-F Dumousseaud.

The Hairpin in front of the Fangio grandstand.

The same cars entering the previous hairpin.

Side-by-side Bugattis.

Wednesday 20 September 2023

Circuit des Remparts 2023 - Plateau Henri Greder - GT & GTS Avant 1976

Henri Greder was a long time Chevrolet Corvette driver so appropriate to have one in this race. The AC Cobra was just seen during practice.

One of my favourite plateau (grids) was for the most modern cars present and included a mix of GT and Touring cars. Many of them were driven very spectacularly on this tight short street circuit where there are three hairpin bends in short succession. A couple of famous drivers took part and there was a great variety of cars. What was there not to like?

All photos are from the practice sessions.

François Delecour's rally style driving impressed the spectators, got him pole position and won him the race in this 1976 Ford Escort MkII. He threw it into the hairpins and was on opposite lock the whole way through!