F3/FR Historic Tour Magny-Cours - Report

Stage 3 - Historic Tour Magny-Cours | 5-6-7 July 2024 

Enthusiastic...

On the Nevers Magny-Cours circuit, the 26 drivers entered on the F3-FRenault Classic grid took part in a unique event, co-organised by the French Historic Circuit Championship and the French Truck Championship. It was a weekend to remember, with plenty of action on track!

Qualifying practice:

On Friday, the drivers competed in qualifying at the end of the day in glorious summer sunshine. In F3, Frédéric Lajoux set the fastest time with his March 793 in 1'47.167, nearly 3 tenths ahead of Xavier Michel and his Chevron B38 in 1'47.456. Pascal Gerbout rounded off the top three with a time of 1'47.778. In Formula Renault Turbo Classic, Jean-Charles Monet set the fastest time of 1'53.357, 6 tenths ahead of Adrien Remy-Spire and his time of 1'54.020, himself 6 tenths ahead of Pierre Boite in 1'54.640.

In the Formula Renault Atmo Classic, local driver Benoît Bagur was fastest in his Martini MK63 with a time of 1'56.465, nearly 4 seconds ahead of Belgian Dean Rimbert and his time of 2'00.128.

Race 1:

The following day, when a shower fell just before the start, the strategies on the grid were split between slicks and rain tyres. It was a complicated start, with differences in pace on a dry track. Frédéric Lajoux got into a tangle with Xavier Michel and was forced to retire on the first lap. Eric Martin got off to a very good start and overtook Pascal Gerbout on the second lap, while British trophy winner Ian Jacobs made a magnificent comeback, gaining 6 positions.

Behind, in the Formula Renault Classic, Adrien Remy-Spire, who started on wet tyres, lost ground and dropped from 2nd to 4th position in just a few laps. After keeping the lead for 7 laps, Christian Vaglio-Giors was overtaken by Eric Martin. Matthieu Châteaux moved up to third, having already gained 4 positions. As the laps went by, the drivers who had started on rain tyres gave up on the dry track, outdistanced by the drivers who had started on slicks. On the final lap of the race, Christian Vaglio-Giors regained first place after a tangle between Eric Marin and Carlos Antunes Tavares at the Lycée bend, which also benefited Matthieu Châteaux, second and author of a fine comeback, and Ian Jacobs, third. In Formula Renault Turbo, Jean-Charles Monnet beat Anthony Chambon and Pierre Boite. In Atmo, Benoît Bagur was the only driver to finish the race.

F3 Classic: 1 Christian VAGLIO-GIORS, 2 Matthieu CHATEAUX, 3 Ian JACOBS

FRenault Turbo Classic: 1. Jean-Charles MONET, 2. Anthony CHAMBON, 3. Pierre BOITE

FRenault Atmo Classic: 1. Benoît BAGUR

Race 2:

On Sunday, the weather was no longer a concern for the drivers. A smooth start with Xavier Michel on the attack. Frédéric Lajoux and Laurent Vallery-Masson began their comeback. Manfredo Rossi Di Montelera also got off to a good start, as did Eric Martin. Bruno Houzelot retired on the second lap. Up front, the 4 frontrunners were all in the same second. Matthieu Châteaux took the lead and attacked to open up a gap. Laurent Bayers and Bernard Lacour both retired. Adrien Remy-Spire passed Anthony Chambon while Manfredo Rossi Di Montelera attacked for the F3 podium.

The Safety Car came out at the halfway point after Ian Jacobs suffered an engine failure in Adelaide. The field tightened up for the final 4 laps of the race. Matthieu Châteaux got off to a good start and Eric Martin chased down Christian Vaglio-Giors. Frédéric Lajoux, unleashed, breaks away from Eric Martin and moves closer to the podium, in 4th place. Eric Martin overtook Christian Vaglio-Giors on the penultimate lap. Laurent Vallery-Masson, who drove a superb race, moved up to 7th place. Adrien Remy-Spire, struggling with his damaged wing, was again overtaken by Pierre Boite. Matthieu Châteaux won the race just 4 tenths ahead of Xavier Michel, himself 5 tenths ahead of Italy's Manfredo Rossi Di Montelera. In Formula Renault Turbo, Jean-Charles Monnet dominated ahead of Pierre Boite and Adrien Remy-Spire. In Atmo, Benoît Bagur won ahead of Belgian Dean Rimbert.

F3 Classic: 1 Matthieu CHATEAUX, 2 Xavier MICHEL, 3 Manfredo ROSSI DI MONTELERA

FRenault Turbo Classic: 1. Jean-Charles MONET, 2. Pierre BOITE, 3. Adrien REMY-SPIRE

FRenault Atmo Classic: 1. Benoît BAGUR, 2. Dean RIMBERT

THE CONTINUATION

Round #4: Historic Tour de Nogaro, 6-7 & 8 September.

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Media contact: presse@hvmracing.fr