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!

A popular second place went to local diver Jean-François Besson in his 1968 Alpine Renault A110.

Third place went to Marc Duez in this 1976 Ford Escort Mk1.  Another opposite locker!

Eric Empois took fourth place in this 1976 BMW E21.  Here he speeds past the cathedral.

Damien Kohler took fifth place in this 1972 Porsche 3L RS.

Jean-Jacques Renault took sixth place and fastest lap in this 1975 Porsche RS 3.0

This MGB finished eighth in the hands of Richard Wilson.

In 13th place was François Belle in this 1971 Porsche 914-6.

It was good to see two Opel Kadett GTEs from the seventies in the field.

A 1973 Hillman Hunter Holbay GLS and a 1974 Triumph Dolomite Sprint.

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.

MGB, BMW and a Triumph at the previous hairpin.

My view for the practice session of the Plateau Henri Greder.

Pau Classic Grand Prix 2023, HTCC, Historique Tourisme Champion Car, Le Groupe 1

 

Some battles going on in Saturday's race between a BMW 323i,  a Honda Civic EE9 and two Renaults.

The French HTCC series was won of the mainstay events of this years Pau Classic Grand Prix.  It caters for historic and classic touring cars of many different types such as:

Groups 1 and 2 up to the end of 1981, 

Groups A & N up until the end of 1992, 

Coupe Antho 505 cars.

I saw practice, qualifying and both races at the 2023 Pau Classic Grand Prix and pictures from them are shown below.  

The HTCC field heads up the straight after turn 1 in Sunday's race.  A BMW M3 E36 leads a Ford Sierra Cosworth.  The BMW M3 driven by Benjamin Munsch won both races.

This Ford Sierra Cosworth driven by Jean-Paul Guerdoux finished second in Saturday's race.

Alexandre Lang in his Alfa Romeo 75 turbo finished second on Sunday and third on Saturday.

This BMW 633 CSi driven by Florian Sanchez finished third on Sunday.

A BMW 325i traverse the chicane.

Fiat X1/9 follows a VW Polo through the chicane.

Honda S 800 in the chicane.

Ford Escort RS2000 Mk2 descends after Poeymirau.

Renault Clio 16S in the Hoch chicane.

A BMW 325i E30 leads the Escort through the Hoch chicane.

Renault Super 5 GT Turbo.

Renault R5 Alpine leads a BMW E36 out of Parc Beaumont.

Peugeot 505 V6.

A Honda makes a lunge but gets cut off by the BMW.

BMW 2002 Ti.

Spectating from the Boulevard des Pyrénées.

A battle for the podium positions between Alfa and Sierra Cosworth.

Wide angle view of the HTCC cars.  Peugeot 505 leads the BMWs.

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.

Ford Escort RS Mk2 leads a Renault Clio.

Honda S 800.

Classic Val de Nuit - Rallye de Régularité VHR Nocturne, 2022

 

The Porsche 911 of Bourrier / Chaussoniere.  They finished 27th.

My first motor sport event of the year was the third running of the Classic Val de Nuit, a regularity rally for classic cars.   I attended the start of the rally at 17.30 on Saturday 12th February in the Place de la Breche in Niort, France.  The forty six cars had all left on their 240 km journey through the Deux-Sèvres department by nightfall at 18.20.   Well organized by l'ASA79 for the third time, quite a few spectators came to see the rally leave Niort and there were some beautiful cars for them to see and a good Master of Ceremonies giving a commentary to keep all informed.  

The Podium Finishers

The winners were Lavigne/Stubbs in this VW Golf GTi.

Runners-up were Gardrat/Debraud in this Audi TT.

The Peugeot 205 GTi of Bonnet/Guillemin came third.

The Parking

The cars were all on display in the square for the public to see during late Saturday afternoon.  

A Triumph Herald 1200 Coupe from the sixties.  I learnt to drive in a Triumph Herald so always a favourite with me.  This is one was the Coupe that had two seats and a fast back.

Another Triumph, a TR3.  This one was probably the oldest car in the rally.

BMW 2002.

The non-finishers

A number of the more beautiful cars failed to finish the rally.  I was amused when some other spectators asked me what the car below was.  They seemed equally amused by my accent!

The Ford GT40 of Trehiou/Brignon attracted enormous interest.

The beautiful Lancia Fulvia of Rothureau/Veillet.

Alpine Heaven

The spectators were happy to a number of Alpine Renaults present.

The Alpine Renault A110 1300S of Millet/Cadoux finished a good seventh.

Grimaud and Monsimier in a Alpine Renault A310 V6.

Opels

A surprising number and variety of Opels were taking part.  here are a few of them:

The Opel Kadett GTE of Grison/Phelippeau starts its rally.  it finished sixth.

The Freulon's Opel Speedster.

The Opel Commodore of Petit / Moinard.

Some of the others

The two teenage girls - Martinez/Martinez - seem to be enjoying the start of their rally in the Fiat Abarth 600. 

One of the pre-rally favourites was this Porsche 944 of Doublet/Doublet.

The ever popular Mini of Guerin / Bernaudeau.

Ford Escort GT Mk1 of Charles / Guyet.

The Loyer's Ford Escort Mk2 RS2000.

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 Triumph Herald of Pralong / Lemuet sets off into the night.