Four titles at stake!

HISTORIC TOUR VAL DE VIENNE (October 18-20)

Four titles at stake!

Like last year, the French Historic Circuits Championship will conclude at the Val de Vienne track. It's a sort of closing ball for what will be the fifth and final event of the season. Four new French championship titles will be awarded on the evening of this meeting, filled with a serious dose of suspense.

THE VAL DE VIENNE READY TO HOST THE LAST 21 RACES OF THE YEAR

This time, the tenth edition of the French Historic Circuits Championship is truly coming to an end! After making stops at Dijon Prenois, Charade, Nevers Magny-Cours, and Nogaro, the series known as the Historic Tour returns to the welcoming Val de Vienne circuit for its closing event. Well-known to the vast majority of drivers, its 3.7 km layout will once again serve as the stage for this decisively important weekend. By Sunday evening, October 20, we will know the identities of the new French champions, who will share the four titles yet to be awarded, as well as the winners of various challenges and historical trophies that the championship encompasses.

The program for this finale is identical to that of previous rounds, featuring two races per category plus the 200 km endurance race on Saturday evening. This allows the public to witness 21 distinct races. Some of them are expected to be particularly competitive given the number of entries. This is especially true for the two one-make series: the Lotus Trophy and the Roadster Pro Cup, where we anticipate 35 and 33 cars on the starting grids, respectively. In the single-seater categories, alongside F3 and Classic Renault Formula, nearly fifty Formula Ford drivers will also take part, competing in the Kent Trophy and the Historic Challenge. The 200 km endurance race confirms its current vitality, with no fewer than 30 crews set to start for 90 minutes of racing, interspersed with two mandatory pit stops. Across all entry lists, approximately 290 drivers are preparing to settle in the Vienne.

WHO WILL BE THE FRENCH CHAMPION?

This question is certainly on everyone's mind as we approach this finale. In the Monoplaces/Protos and GT/Pre and Post 90 Touring categories, three men will have the honor of wearing the crown of French champion over the weekend. Additionally, two members of the endurance-winning crew will also be in the mix. For reference, the French Championship regulations state that each driver's best nine scores from the ten results of the year will be retained, allowing for a possible joker and implying potential point adjustments for the most consistent competitors.

In Monoplaces/Protos, François Belle (Lola T540E) enters as the leader in the standings. The former champion from the first edition of the Historic Tour must avoid any missteps in Formula Ford Historic, as Jean-Charles Monnet (Martini MK48), who faces little competition in Classic Renault Formula, is still capable of stealing the spotlight. The third man in the current hierarchy, Gislain Genecand (Van Diemen RF92 and Crosslé 25F), will likely play a key role while pursuing his own ambitions in both Formula Ford categories.

In GT/Touring, the Pre 90 category seems to be a stronghold for Emmanuel Brigand (Porsche 930). Unless he faces a disastrous weekend, he should retain the title he won last year, despite the efforts of his closest rivals: Philippe Gandini (Cooper S) and Lotus Trophy leader Florent Cazalot. The Post 90 race promises to be much more uncertain, with Mathieu Rigoulet (Mazda MX-5 in Roadster Pro Cup) directly threatened by Augustin Moreau (Honda Civic in Youngtimers GTI Cup) and Patrick Delannoy (Porsche 964 in GT Classic). All scenarios remain possible among them! Finally, the four best results from the five 200 km races of the season will determine the endurance championship title. The pairings of Jean-François Besson/Guillaume Gagnard (Chevron B16) and Gislain Genecand/Xavier Michel (Chevron B19) are well-placed, but Jean-Pierre Richelmi/Philippe Gache (Porsche 934) also have one last card to play. Expect suspense for 90 minutes.

WHAT CATEGORIES WILL BE FEATURED?

FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIPS MONOPLACES/PROTOS, GT/TOURING PRE 90, AND GT/TOURING POST 90

Classic F3 Trophy + Classic Renault Formula Trophy

- Races: Saturday at 15:55 and Sunday at 12:20 (2 x 30 min).

- Cars: F3 single-seaters before 1985 and Renault Formula (atmo and turbo) before 1995.

- Notable drivers: F3 Classic: Lajoux, Vaglio Giors, Lacour (March), Luensmann (Ralt), Martin, Eynard-Machet (Martini), Michel (Chevron), etc. Classic Renault Formula: Monnet, Remy-Spire, Tomsen, Bagur, D’Urbal (Martini), Rimbert (Orion), etc.

Kent Formula Ford Trophy

- Races: Sunday at 9:05 and 16:20 (2 x 25 min).

- Cars: Kent Formula Ford single-seaters before 1993.

- Notable drivers: Midy, Dousse, Genecand, Lebreton, Sanjuan, “Nelson”, Monteiro (Van Diemen), Kozyreff, Deridder, Bouquet (Reynard), Weiss (Ray), etc.

Historic Formula Ford Challenge

- Races: Saturday at 14:05 (preceded by a Grid Walk) and Sunday at 15:05 (2 x 25 min).

- Cars: Formula Ford single-seaters before 1982.

- Notable drivers: Belle, Fresnais, Dionisotti (Lola), Genecand, McMorran, Eynard Machet, Mantz (Crosslé), “Nelson” (Van Diemen), Sanjuan (Merlyn), Rollet (March), Lecluse (Lotus), Prévost (McNamara), Crocker (Ray), etc.

Lotus Trophy

- Races: Saturday at 16:40 and Sunday at 11:35 (2 x 30 min).

- Cars: Lotus Seven and older Caterhams.

- Notable drivers: Vulliez, Delhaye, X.Jacquet, C.Jacquet, N.Beloou, Cazalot, Berrezai, Bouchetal, Odin, Szyndelman, Vacher, Boucherie, Garcia Imaz, Koenig, Thiry, Peinetti, G.Jan, Blanchemain, Vest, Grenot, Marty (Lotus Seven), etc.

Racing Over 2L + Proto Historic

- Races: Saturday at 14:45 and Sunday at 15:40 (2 x 25 min).

- Cars: GT/Touring over 2000 cc (and under 2000 cc with over 200 hp) before 1981 (Racing Over 2L) + Protos until 1989 (Proto Historic).

- Notable drivers: Protos Classic: Kolly (Lola T292), Besson (Chevron B16), Garsou (ACE), etc. Racing Over 2L: Brigand, Langin (Porsche 930), Regnier (Porsche 910), Dusailly, Calas (Ford Escort RS), Dauxerre, Kohler, Cubeau (Porsche 911 3L), etc.

GT Classic Trophy + Proto Classic

- Races: Saturday at 11:55 and Sunday at 10:20 (2 x 25 min).

- Cars: GT + Protos up to 2000 (Proto Classic).

- Notable drivers: Danne, D.Samson, Roche/Roche (Porsche 996), Delannoy, Le Flem, A.Samson (Porsche 964), Grenet (Dodge Viper), Mathieu (BMW M3 GTR), Besson (Venturi 400 Trophy), etc.

Maxi 2L Classic + Maxi 1300 Series

- Races: Saturday at 10:45 and Sunday at 14:25, preceded by a Grid Walk (2 x 25 min).

- Cars: GT/Touring under 2000 cc and under 200 hp before 1981 (Maxi 2L Classic) and GT/Touring under 1300 cc pre-1981 and Classic Mini Cup (Maxi 1300 Series).

- Notable drivers: Maxi 2L Classic: Benne, Kohler, Sionneau, Guerardelle (Lotus Elan), Breugnot (Alpine A110), Lagache (Porsche 914/6), etc. Maxi 1300 Series: Gandini, Pouillon, Petit, Allard (Cooper S), Wathelet (NSU TT), etc.

Roadster Pro Cup

- Races: Saturday at 15:20 and Sunday at 10:55 (2 x 25 min).

- Cars: First-generation Mazda MX-5.

- Notable drivers: Rigoulet, Bellinato, Hergault, Laborie, Visentin, Allard, Maurice, Durville, Carreno, Nougaret, Martin, Benjamin, Oks, Bourget, Turbot, Reitz, Gaudelus, Kunz, Bouet (all in Mazda MX-5), etc.

Youngtimers GTI Cup + SuperBerline 2L

Races: Saturday at 9:35 AM and Sunday at 9:45 AM (2 x 25 min).  

Cars:Youngtimers: GTIs under 2L from before 1998. SuperBerlines: Evocations of the 90s Supertouring.  

Featured Drivers:** Youngtimers: Quagliozzi/Piau, Chaulan, Grandpierre, Moreau, Maehr, Aumard/Aumard (Honda Civic), etc. SuperBerlines: Pozzobon, Ratte (Alfa 156), Hebette (Renault Laguna), Grand (Honda Accord), Santos, Giraud, D’Esparbes, Crasson, Ferry (BMW 318/320), Perissaguet/Boury (Peugeot 406), etc.

---

HISTORIC ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

200 km of the Historic Tour

Race: Saturday at 5:25 PM (90 min).  

Cars: Protos/GTs/sedans eligible for the Historic Tour classes.  

Featured Drivers: Besson (Chevron B16), Michel/Genecand (Chevron B19), Destombes (Spider 905), Berrezai (Merlin), Guermonprez (Grac MT14), Richelmi/Gache (Porsche 934), Danne/Grenet, Baert/Dauxerre (Porsche 911SC), Rimbert/Fastres (BMW M3), Roche/Roche (Porsche 996), Quagliozzi/Piau (Honda Civic), Le Flem/Chatellier (Porsche 964), Gosset (BMW 320i), Lagache/Delbreil (Porsche 914/6), etc.

---

SUPPORT CLASS

Trophy Saloon Cars

Races:Saturday at 8:30 AM and Sunday at 5:00 PM (2 x 25 min).  

Cars: GTs/Touring cars from before 2000.  

Featured Drivers: Lefebvre (Audi Quattro), Grenet (Ford Falcon), Mathieu (BMW M3 GTR), Delarche, Faurie (Caterham), Yvetot, A. Samson, Gautier (Porsche 964), D. Samson (Porsche 996), Lortal, Trichet (Lotus Elise), Grué (Chevrolet Monza), Verney (R5 GT), Wilders (Honda Integra), J. Pirio, A. Pirio (Jidé), Fachinetti (Chevrolet Camaro), etc.

PIT AREA

In the paddock, the Historic Tour partners' village features Oreca (selling competition parts), Sodipneu/Sodifuel (supplying tires and fuel), Stand 21 (custom driver safety equipment), as well as stalls for merchandise, clothing, miniatures, automobilia, etc. Additionally, the traditional Kennol Awards honor a deserving driver after each race of the weekend.

RECAP

Friday, October 18: Private testing from 8:30 AM to 12:35 PM and 1:45 PM to 2:35 PM. Qualifying from 2:45 PM to 6:35 PM.  

Saturday, October 19: Qualifying sessions from 8:30 AM to 9:20 AM, 10:10 AM to 10:35 AM, 11:55 AM to 12:20 PM, and 2:05 PM to 6:55 PM. Races (9) from 9:35 AM to 10:00 AM, 10:45 AM to 11:10 AM, 12:25 PM to 2:05 PM, and 2:05 PM to 6:55 PM.  

Sunday, October 20:Races (12) from 8:30 AM to 12:50 PM and 2:25 PM to 5:25 PM.  

General Admission: Weekend pass €25, single day pass €20. Reduced rates for children.  

Media Contact: presse@hvmracing.fr