14ème Rallye Epernay Vins De Champagne VHC, 2022

One of only two VHC cars to make it to the end of the rally was this Opel Kadett GTE.

There were just eight entries for the VHC (Véhicule Historique Compétition) section of the Rallye Epernay Vins de Champagne 2022, and only seven actually started.  In the end only two of these finished the rally!   Having seen some of the yumps, steep gradient changes and rough vineyard roads, I was not that much surprised by the high retirement rate.

The rally took place on the first weekend of April 2022 over 15 stages on Saturday and Sunday. All of the VHC cars that took part are featured in this post.

The Parc Fermé in the beautiful town of Epernay.

The two teams that were fastest early on, also were the ones that finished.  The Opel won the Groupes 1/2/3/4/5 (1976 and prior) whilst the BMW won Groupes AJ/BJ/NJ (1982-1990), so both went away as winners.  Nobody in the Groupe Classic (1977 to 1981) finished.

Some of the VHC drivers and navigators in Epernay including Jean-Louis De Roeck and Francois Guillemin in the centre.

1st and winner of Group 2.  No. 202.  Opel Kadett GTE.  Francois Guillemin & Patrick Charlot.

The Opel at speed on ES5.  This was the seventh victory on this rally for Francois Guillemin.

The Opel Kadett on ES13.

2nd and winner of Group AJ2.  No. 201.  BMW M3.  Jean-Louis De Roeck & Patrick Milleville.

The BMW M1 on ES2.

The fast Belgian entered BMW M1.  

Those who didn't last the distance:

No. 203 - Porsche 911 SC, Eric Torrejon & Mireille Guy.

On ES7 near Ay, the Porsche races through the vines as dusk arrivers.

On ES13 near Le Mesnil-le-Huttier, the Porsche climbs up through the Champagne vineyards.

No. 208 - Volkswagen Golf GTi, Yves & Lorelie Jaillet.

The VW Golf leaving the podium in Epernay to start the rally on Saturday morning.

Driving up the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay.

No. 207 - Volkswagen Golf GTi, Clement Jaillet & Thibaut Darque.

The VW Golf on ES2.

The VW Golf on ES7 as night falls.

No. 204 - Ford Escort RS, Cyril & Manon Saint-Pol.

The Mk1 Escort on ES2.

Ford Escort at speed on ES5.

No. 205 - Volkswagen Golf 2 GTi, Fabrice Bodson & Baptiste Rock

The VW Golf 2 on ES7 near Ay on the road up through the vines to Mutigny.

The Volkswagen at speed on ES7.

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.

My favourite VHC car was this Ford Escort RS.  Brings back memories circa 1971.

2017 Habits de Lumière Epernay

A Citroen Avant leads some other cars up the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay as part of the Habits de Lumiere.

The Habits de Lumiere in Epernay is now an annual December event in the Champagne region of France.  It starts in the early evening with Champagne bars in the Avenue de Champagne, moves on to light shows on the various Champagne houses and then ends on the Friday and Saturday nights with a spectacle and fireworks.  On the Sunday morning there is normally a gathering of up to 400 classic cars that then go on a parade through the streets of Epernay until lunch time.   This year there were fewer cars than normal as Sunday had started with a heavy snow storm in the region that had made some of the smaller roads rather difficult.  However still a very nice event this year despite the inclement Sunday weather which meant that it was raining during the parade.  A real variety of vehicles, most over 35 years old, as you can see below.

A number of cars arrived partially covered in snow, including this Renault 4CV.

Saturday night light show on the Esterlin Champagne house.

Alpine Renault A110 towards the end of Sunday morning's parade.

Renaults arriving and checking-in at the gathering before the parade.

Mercedes stretch limo

The Perrier-Jouet Champagne house lit up on Saturday night.

More cars on the parade going up the Avenue de Champagne including this Simca Rallye.

There were a few convertibles but, understandibly in the rain, none were going open top.

Alpine A310

The spectacle on Saturday night included these dancers and musicians performing in the sky whilst hanging from a crane.

An Exclalibur.  

Plenty of American cars in evidence, including this 1964 Mercury Comet.

Blue van

The Demoiselle Champagne house on Saturday night.

Peugeot 201

Citroen

A Peugeot 504

Saturday procession down the Avenue de Champagne.

One of a couple of military vehicles in the parade.

Renault 4L

Citroen 2CV with Tin Tin artwork and rear appendage.

Champagne Collard-Picard on Saturday night.

Citroen Avant.

A Licorne

Citroen Avant followed by a Renault, a 2CV and some VW Beetles.

Champagner Perrier Jouet light show

Champagne Boizel delivery van.

Alpine Renault A110.

Renault Gordini

Moët et Chandon

Renault 8

Austin Healey 3000

Renault 8 leads a Ford Mustang

The crowds om Satuday night at the Champagne houses.

Citroen DS rally car.

More  modern Renault rally car

Older Renault 4cv

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.

A Citroen Ami 6 follows the parade of cars up the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay.