For two days (19 – 20 October) the Paul Ricard circuit hosted the Dix Mille Tours, the last round of the Series by Peter Auto. This timeless meeting paid homage the halcyon days of motor sport with more than 350 historic cars in action on the track, a record for the tenth staging of this event that brought down the curtain on the 2019 season. A look-back at an unforgettable weekend’s racing – after all: “all good things come to an end!”
On Thursday 17th October the first competitors and their cars arrived at the circuit on a day dedicated to scrutineering, an obligatory step for drivers and their vehicles. The entrants had to show their licences and driving equipment to be allowed to race. The cars were given a thorough examination by the scrutineers. The aim? Check that their PTH (Technical Historic passport) that allows a vehicle to take part in an event for historic racing cars complied in every respect. Once it’s passed, the battle could begin!
END OF THE SEASON – CHASING POINTS ON THE 2.0L CUP AND CER1 GRIDS
There was a lot at stake in this weekend’s races for some drivers for whom it was the last opportunity to score points in the season’s overall general classification. For example, in the 2.0L Cup field Andrew Smith-Olivier Bryant (2nd in the classification) were dead heating with Richard Cook-Harvey Stanley (3rd) in terms of the number of points – 164. Car #64 (Andrew Smith-Olivier Bryant) scored their place thanks to second position in the event in the Dix Mille Tours.
In Classic Endurance Racing 1 grid, the battle for first place in the general classification for the season raged between Claudio Roddaro’s Porsche 917 and Toni Seiler’s Lola T70 who started the Dix Mille Tours only six points apart: a rivalry that dates back to the late 1960s when the two cars battled for victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans! Just like at the time, the Porsche 917 is the big winner of the season. A Lola (# 79) did nevertheless save the honor by winning the Dix Mille Tours race.
Une fin de saison donc, mais en beauté sur le circuit Paul Ricard avec de jolies batailles en piste pour décrocher les titres de champion. Des vainqueurs à découvrir dans quelques jours sur les réseaux sociaux de Peter Auto.
Il convient par ailleurs de féliciter tous les pilotes pour leur(s) victoire(s) du week-end ainsi que le spectacle en piste offert au public :
2.0L CUP
Mark SUMPTER (#77) – Porsche 911 2.0L
CLASSIC ENDURANCE RACING 1
Daniel GIBSON (#79) – Lola T70 Mk III B of 1969
CLASSIC ENDURANCE RACING 2
Yves Scemama (#52) – Toj SC 304 of 1976
ENDURANCE RACING LEGENDS
Race 1 : Florent Moulin (#163) – Saleen S7-R of 2004
Race 2 : Michel Lecourt / Raymond Narac (#33) – Ferrari 333 SP of 1999
GROUP C RACING
Race 1 : Ivan Vercoutere / Ralf Kelleners (#21) – Porsche 962C of 1990
Race 2 : Michel Lecourt / Raymond Narac (#82) Porsche 962C of 1990
HERITAGE TOURING CUP
Michael Erlich (#40) – BMW 3.0 CSL of 1975
SIXTIES’ ENDURANCE
James Cuttingham / Harvey Stanley (#121) – Shelby Cobra 289 of 1964
THE GREATEST’S TROPHY
Race 1 : Lukas Halusa / Martin Halusa (#17) – Jaguar Type E 3.8L Lightweight of 1963
Race 2 : Carlos Monteverde / Gary Pearson (#14) – Jaguar Type E 3.8L Lightweight of 1963