From the 21st to the 25th of April, a colourful field of 225 cars enjoyed the 2000km Tour Auto from Paris to the seaside resort of Deauville. Or, rather, 225 cars left Paris and more than 200 crossed the finish line, while a few expired on this demanding, but exhilarating historic event.

Among the finishers were some 10 or so Mk1 and Mk2 Jaguars, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their victory in the original Tour de France, while much attention was paid to such icons such as the Ferrari 250 GTO in its Ecurie Nationale Belge livery, winner of the 1964 event – plus some very popular and impressive Ford GT40s.

Each year, the Tour Auto follows a slightly different itinerary along scenic roads, interspersed with Special Stages. Entrants can choose to take part in either the Competition or the Regularity class, assuming they meet the entry requirements: a car of a model which raced in the TdF between 1951 and 1973 (with supporting documents for car and crew). Launched in 1992, the ‘Tour de France Automobile’ retrospective is now one of the year’s great historic events. See www.tourauto.com.

The Results

VHC

1 LYNN - KIVLOCHAN
Ford GT40
2 BLONDIN - CROCHET
AC Cobra
3 FRANCE - FRANCE
Ford GT40

Groupe G

1 Mr JOHN OF B - SIBEL
Porsche 906
2 ANCELIN-FOUCRY
Ford Capri 2600 RS
3 LOGAN-HAMPTON
Porsche 914/6 GT

Groupe H

1 LECOURT-LECOURT
Porsche 911 RSR 2,8l
2 SERPAGGI-PREVOST
Alpine Renault A 110 Gr. IV
3 COCHIN - JANOU
Porsche 910

Régularité

1 WILLIS - WILLIS
MG A
2 LINWOOD- LINWOOD
Porsche 911 RS 2,7l
3 RUSTON - HAYLOCK
Porsche 356

Indice de Performance

1 CAJANI -SOLASCHINI
Alfa Romeo1900 TI
2 HAASE - HAASE
Jaguar MK1
3 GANS -HOPPENSTAEDT
Lotus Elite 1959

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Cathy Dubuisson