Course de Cote de Sancerre 2018

This was my sixth consecutive visit to the Course de Cote de Sancerre, an event which attracts a fantastic field for a regional hillclimb.  The champion for the last five years, Serge Thomas, was absent from the entry list so I knew I would see a different winner this year.  I thought it was going to be Gael Boisson in his Dallara F3 car, who was leading after two runs, but in the end a Norma Sports Racing car was the winner.  Well done to Jordan Lamonica for a fine third run. His father also got into the top eight in the same car.  Nobody got close to the lap record of Serge Thomas but it was good to see the top five separated by less than a second.

C'était ma sixième visite consécutive a la Course de Côte de Sancerre, un événement qui attire des concurrents de bonne qualité pour une course de côte régionale. Le champion des cinq dernières années, Serge Thomas, était absent de la liste des engagés, alors je savais que je verrais un autre gagnant cette année. Je pensais que ce serait Gaël Boisson dans sa Dallara F3, qui menait après deux manches, mais au final une voiture Norma était la gagnante. Bravo à Jordan Lamonica pour une belle troisième manche. Son père s'est également classé parmi les huit premiers dans la même voiture. Personne ne s'est approché du record pour l’épreuve de Serge Thomas mais c'était bien de voir les cinq premiers séparés par moins d'une seconde.

The Merlin MP23 of Daniel Nature

The event was run in good warm dry weather, even if the clouds opened for an absolute deluge a couple of hours later.  As usual the organization by Ecurie Jacques Coeur was superb and the event went along at a nice brisk pace.  Wonderful value for spectators at just six Euro to see such beautiful fast cars.  Great also to be so close to the action and for a number of the pictures I used my widest lens as I was just a car width away from the drivers cutting the apex at turn four.

L'événement s'est déroulé par temps chaud et sec, même si il a plu des cords quelques heures plus tard. Comme d'habitude, l'organisation de l'Ecurie Jacques Coeur était superbe et l'événement s'est déroulé à un bon rythme. Une valeur incroyable pour les spectateurs à seulement six euros pour voir ces belles voitures rapides. Génial aussi pour être si proche de l'action et pour un certain nombre de photos j'ai utilisé mon objectif ultra-large car j'étais juste à une petite distance des pilotes qui coupaient l'apex au virage quatre.

Bernard Deulniau - Simca Rallye 2

The pictures are from the first two timed runs and a walk around the paddock at lunchtime. Below are the top thirty fastest runners and all of the class winners.

Full results via Ecurie Jacques Coeur website

Les images proviennent des deux premières courses chronométrées et d'une promenade autour du paddock pendant le déjeuner.  Voici les trente pilotes plus rapide et tous les vainqueurs de classe.

1st – 21 – Jordan Lamonica – Norma M20FC (Overall Winner & First in Group & Class)

2^nd – 4 – Gael Boisson  - Dallara F307 (First in Group & Class)

3^rd – 25 – Jérome Martin – Norma M20F

4^th – 8 – Julien Bost – Dallara F302

5^th – 6 – Didier Brun – Dallara F302

6^th – 15 – Emmanuel Arbant – Norma F20FC

7^th – 19 – Alain Le Sausse – Norma M20FC

8th – 221 – Bruno Lamonica – Noma M20FC

9th – 18 – Frédéric Chatelain – Norma M20F

10^th – 7 – Franck Armion – Martini Mk79

11^th – 24 – Cédric Sonzogni – Proto

12^th – 10 – Olivier Gregoire – Dallara  (Class Winner)

13^th – 26 – Sébastien Pic – Norma M20F

14^th – 35 – David Jaumier – Silver Car 52F (Class Winner)

15^th – 22 – Eric Lecerf – Norma M20B

16^th – 17 – Stéphanie Tordeux – Norma M20FC

17^th – 1 – Arthur Fiard – Tatuus FR2000 (Class Winner)

18^th – 39 – Franck Gregoire – Speedcar GTR

19^th – 2 – Bruno Beauvoir – Tatuus FR2000

20^th – 38 – Tony Pasteau – Silver Car 52

21^st – 20 – Daniel Nature – Merlin MP23

22^nd - 120 – Anthony Dubois – Maxi Scora (First in Group & Class)

23^rd – 5 – Daniel Job – Dallara 301

24^th – 32 – Marion Alexandre – Ligier JS51 (Class Winner)

25^th – 238 – Pauline Berthon – Silver Car 52

26^th – 31 – Arthur Saint German – Merlin MP2000

27^th – 235 – Bernard Jaumier – Silver Car 52F

28^th – 16 – Jean-Pierre Picault – Barquette JPS FC

29th – 50 – Thomas Chavot – Seat Leon Supercopa (First in Group & Class)

30^th – 33 – Alain Lagneau – PHC Dinatmo

32^nd – 122 – Rodolphe Simon – Alpine A110 (Class Winner)

34^th – 133 – Didier Thorin – Marcadier Barzoi (Class Winner)

36^th – 54 – David Deremond – Renault Clio 4 – (Class Winner)

38^th – 102 – Fabrice Girault – Peugeot 205 – (First in Group & Class)

39^th – 43 – Florian Bartaire – Mitjet – (First in Group & Class)

41^st – 63 – Gabriel Coste – Honda Civic Type R (Class Winner)

42^nd – 126 – Alain Brissebonnet – Talbot R2 (Class Winner)

44^th – 98 – Didier Rebois – Alpine A310 (Class Winner)

60^th – 77 – Patrick Behal – Renault Clio RS (First in Group & Class)

63^rd – 70 – Nicolas Buguellou – Renault Twingo RS (Class Winner)

66^th – 116 – Rachel Poittevin – Peugeot 106 XSI (Class Winner)

75^th – 45 – Claude Saint Germain – Caterham Evo  (First in Group & Class)

79^th – 83 – Bernard Sautereau – Honda Civic (Class Winner)

82^nd – 88 – Cédrik Thollon – Peugeot 106 Rallye (Class Winner)

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.

Philibert Michy - Renault Clio 3 Cup

Hillclimb cars don't normally have passengers!

2017 Course de Côte régionale de Sancerre

Normas were in abundance at Sancerre this year.  Here is the M20B of Eric Lecerf.

I often start my posts by saying this was my first time at ....., but actually this was my fifth visit to the Course de Côte de Sancerre.  It remains one of my favourite hills and gets a good entry each year, even if this year it was a little down in terms of numbers.  Each year, Serge Thomas wins, so I will have to come again f I want to see a different winner!  This was the 44th running of the Sancerre Hillclimb.  In the old days it was a round of the French National Championship but is now just a regional hillclimb.  It is 1.76km long and very pretty as it runs through the Sancerre vineyards. As with every year the Ecurie Jacques Coeur proved to be excellent organisers of this event.  Almost all of the cars and drivers that competed are pictured below in the order that they were classified.  I took photos during the last part of the practice runs on Saturday 3rd June and during the second runs on Sunday 4th June..

1^st  Serge Thomas, Norma MF20 FC, No.18, Winer overall for the fifth time in a row

Serge was trying very hard on his second run but is seen here sliding wide on turn four so it wasn't his fastest run.  Serge won but didn't beat his course record he set back in 2013.

2^nd  Gaël Boisson, Dallara F307, No.5. Group & Class winner

Gaël was again the main challenger this year but finished three quarters of a second behind Serge.

3^rd Bruno La Monica, Norma MF 20 FC, No.24

Bruno makes his second ascent on Sunday with the Sancerre vines providing a backdrop.

4^th  Frédéric Chatelain, Martini Suzuki Mk76, No.11

Frédéric going well at turn four on his fastest run of the day.

5^th  Maxime Baud, Norma, No.27

Maxime was an excellent third fastest of the Norma runners.

6^th Bruno Berthon, Ligier JS49, No.25

Bruno added much needed variety to the fasted sports car runners with his Ligier.

7^th Emmanuel Arbant, Norma MF 20 FC, No.22

Emmanuel at turn four.

8^th Eric Jenny, Norma MF 20 FC, No.218

Eric in the third corner on his second run. He shared the car with the winner, Serge Thomas.

9^th Olivier Gregoire, Dallara 309, No.15

Olivier in turn four on Sunday's second run.

10^th Yves Tholy, Speedcar GTR, No.38, Class winner

Yves at turn four on Sunday.

11^th Sébastien Tourillon, Norma MF 20 FC, No.28

The Sancerre vines and hilltop town provide a beautiful backdrop for Sébastien and his Norma.

12^th Fabrice Gallo, Norma M20, No.29

Fabrice inn turn four on Sunday.

13^th Hugues LHeritier, Norma M20B, No.21

Hugues and yet another Norma.

14^th Florian Serralta, BRC 05 Evo, No.37

Florian during Sunday's second run.

15^th Cédric Sonzogni, BRC 05 Evo, No.39

Cédric and his motor cycle engined  BRC at turn four.

16^th Reynald Aime, Dallara F301, No.7

Reynald just after crossing the timing line at the top of the hill.

17^th Franck Alloin, Mygale Susuki, No.14

Franck entering turn four on Sunday.

18^th David Jaumier, Silver Car S2 F, No.34

David on his second run on Sunday.

19^th Eddy Perez, Ligier JS49, No.23

The Ligier of Eddy Perez.

20^th Jean-Pierre Picault, Barquette JPSFC, No.19

Jean-Pieere races past the Sancerre vines.

21^st David Chatelain, Martini Susuki Mk76, No.10

David turns into the third corner on Sunday.

22^nd Bruno Beauvoir, Renault Tatuus, No.3, Class winner

Bruno races across the finish line.

23^rd Eric Lecerf, Norma M20 B, No.26

Eric in the final corner on Saturday.

24^th Stéphanie Tordeux, Tatuus FR200, No.1,Top lady driver

Stéphanie exiting the final corner during Saturday practice.

25^th Eric Bernard, PHC 3 Dinatmo, No.30, Class winner

Eric at turn four on Sunday.

26^th Franck Gregoire, Speedcar GTR, No.40

Franck rounds turn four.

27^th Bastien Barbaud, BRC 05 Evo, No.237

Bastien at turn three on Sunday.

28^th Julien Bourlet, Speedcar GTR, No.35

Julien in turn four.

29^th Arthur Fiard, Merlin MP200, No.31

Arthur and Merlin.

30^th Bernard Jaumier, Silver Car S2 F, No.234

Bernard in the third corner on the second run on Sunday.

31^st Mickael France, Gloria B5, No.12

Mickael exiting the final corner.

32^nd Anthony Dubois, Porsche 997 Cup, No.43, Group and Class winner

Anthony brought raced a Porsche rather than his Maxi Scora this year.

33^rd Rodolphe Simonnet, Alpine A110, No.81, Group and Class winner

Rodolphe at the final corner on Saturday.

34^th Daniel Job, Dallara evo 301, No.6

Daniel enters the final corner during Saturday practice.

35^th Florent Bourlet, Speedcar GTR, No.235

Florent in his Speedcar at turn three on Sunday.

36^th Alain Lagneau, PHC 3 Dinatmo, No.230

Alain in the third corner on Sunday.

37^th Fabrice Degortes, Seat Leon Supercopa, No.55, Group and Class winner

Fabrice exits turn three in his winning Seat.

38^th Martial Saint German, Norma M20 M, No.36

Martial returning to the paddock after Saturday practice.

39^th Pascal Simonot, Simca CG, No.84, Class winner,

Lovely old Simca CG rounding turn four.

40^th Didier Thorin, Marcadier Barzoi, No.89, Class winner

Didier completes his Saturday practice run.

41^st Philippe Derville, Subaru Impreza, No.53

Subaru exiting turn three.

42^nd Alain Brissebonnet, Talbot Rallye 2, No.86

Alain at turn four with Sancerre in the background.

43^rd Olivier Lair, Renault Mégane Coupe, No.97, Group and Class winner

Olivier exiting turn three.

44^th Eric Pope, BMW 320 ST, No.45, Class winner

Eric entering turn three.

45^th Bernard Deulniau, Rallye 2, No.90

Bernard at turn four.

46^th David Deremond, Renault Clio Cup, No.48

David in the final corner on Saturday.

47^th Thomas Broussole, Simca Rallye 3, No.91

Young spectators look on as Thomas speeds around turn four with a beautiful Sancerre backdrop.

48^th Jean-Louis Trayaud, Rallye 3, No.88

Jean-Louis exiting the final corner.

49^th Julien Veysset, Peugeot 106 Rallye, No.106, Class winner

Julien entering the final corner during Saturday's practice run.

50^th Gabriel Coste, Honda Civic type R, No.59, Class winner

Gabriel enters turn three.

51^st Christophe Glinski, Clio Cup 4, No.46

Christophe just past the finish line during Saturday practice

52^nd Cédric Bouffeteau, Honda Civic, No.101

Cédric at speed.

53^rd Guy Fiard, Citroen Saxo, No.109, Class winner

Guy returning to the paddock after his Saturday afternoon practice run.

54^th Sébastien Bard, Clio Cup, No.60

Sébastien at the top of the hill during Saturday practice.

55^th Florian Bartaire, Honda Civic Type R, No.70, Group and Class winner

Florian exits turn three.

56^th David Aubert, Honda Civic, No.104

David crosses the timing line at the end of a run.

57^th Eric Peyrard, Clio Cup 4, No.47

Eric returning to the paddock after his Saturday practice run.

58^th Michel Mabilleau, Alpine A310, No.80

Michel in his Alpine at turn four.

59^th Marco Rodrigues-Gaspar, Peugeot 106 XSI, No.110

Marco entering turn three.

60^th Claude Saint Germain, Cateram Seven, No.51, Group and Class winner

Claude at the top of the hill.

61^st Gérard Brianza, Alpine A110, No.85

Gérards beautiful Alpine at turn four.

62^nd Patrick Behal, Renault Clio RS, No.72

Patrick's plain but fast Clio.

63^rd Rachel Poittevin, Peugeot 106 XSI, No.112

Rachel enters turn three on Sunday's second run.

64^th Philibert Michy, Renault Clio Cup 3, No.61

Philibert just after the finish line at the top of the hill on Saturday.

65^th Nicolas Buguellou, Renault Twingo RS, No.64

Renault Twingo.

66^th Fabien Dorange, Alfa Romeo 75, No96

Fabien kicks up some spray during the wet part of Saturday practice.

67^th Claude Utterwald, Mitjet, No.49, Class winner

Claude at the final corner during Saturday practice.

68^th Julien Boxerberger, Peugeot 106 Rallye, No.108

Julien entering turn three.

69^th Christophe Largant, Renault Clio 16S, No.98

Christophe on his second run on sunday.

70^th Philippe Guerin, Renault 5 GT Turbo, No.67, Class winner

Philippe exiting turn three on Sunday.

71^st Jordan Gawel, VW Golf GTi, No.105

VW Golf GTi.

72^nd Raphael Buxeraud, Citroen Saxo VTS, No.75, Class winner

Saxo in turn three.

73^rd Pascal Marais, Peugeot 106 Rallye, No.111

Peugeot 106

74^th Hervé Barboux, Peugeot 207 LW, No.54

Hervé rounds a wet final corner on Saturday.

75^th Philippe Fronteau, Peugeot 205 GTi, No.100

Philippe at turn three.

76^th Jordan Caillot, Renault Clio Williams, No.71

Jordan at the top of the hill on his Saturday practice run.

77^th Eric Touzet, Peugeot 106 XSI, No.278, Class winner

Eric making his second run.

78^th Manuel Santos, Renault Clio Williams, No.258

Manuel attacks the final corner on Saturday.

79^th Remi Touzet, Peugeot 106 XSI, No.78

Remi entering the final corner during Saturday practice.

80^th Laurent Berry, Peugeot 205 GTi, No.103

Laurent after crossing the line during Saturday practice

81^st Fabrice Vallet, Peugeot 106XSI, No.77

Fabrice at the final corner during Saturday practice.

82^nd Alexandre Genelot, Citroen Saxo VTS, No.63

Alexandre entering the final corner on Saturday.

83^rd Roland Husson, Renault  Super 5 GT, No.95

Roland entering the last corner during the Saturday practice session.

84^th Philippe Menard, Renault  Super 5 GT, No.295

Same car as above. Did not start the second climb on Sunday and did his practice run before I arrivced!

85^th Michel Coadic, Peugeot 205, No.102

Michel driving through turn three.

Excl  Ludovic Clech, BMW M3, No.68

Ludovic on the second run.  He was later excluded from the classification.

DNR Didier Brun, Dallara, No.8

Didier only ran during practice.

For picture of 2016 Course de Cote de Sancerre click here.

For pictures of he 2015 Course de Cote de Sancerre click here.

For pictures of the 2014 Course de Cote de Sancerre 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.

CLICK HERE OR ON THE MOTOR SPORT BUTTON ABOVE FOR MORE EXCITING PICTURES.