The Historic Tour finally restarts in Albi

" Finally ! » The expression launched by Laurent Vallery-Masson, organizer of the Historic Tour via the company HVM Racing, betrays unfeigned impatience. A quarter late, the French Historic Championship will set up its tents within the Albi circuit (July 17-19). The Tarn locality seems to share this desire to fight it oute. “The wait is important, notes the kingpin of the event. I’m excited about the local investment. Municipal and political support responded so that the event could take place. We also feel a real desire on the part of the competitors to return to the circuits. It's a good sign. »

The pause linked to the Covid-19 pandemic has therefore not dampened the enthusiasm of stakeholders. The starting grids will remain more or less as full as in 2019. Like a knee-jerk reaction, the gentlemen drivers jumped at the opportunity to restart the machine rather than live in fear of a second wave and a drop in activity.

Indeed, out of the 11 grids represented this weekend, the most popular discipline (Lotus Trophy) has 30 vehicles! Only the two classes of ASAVÉ Racing revolve around ten cars. “The period of inactivity has generated desire among certain drivers, which allows us to increase certain categories, pursues the one who will pilot a Formula 3 Ralt RT3 in F3 Classic. However, we must not forget the context of the epidemic, which has somewhat disrupted the cards, as well as the summer vacation period. It wasn't easy to set up the set, but we are happy with this level of engagement. »

Fairness above all

Contested since 2015 under this name, the Historic Tour stands out for obtaining a national Champion title validated by the French Motor Sport Federation (FFSA). And that changes a lot of things! Forget the old-fashioned image of concentrations of old jew's harps, handled with great care by Sunday drivers. “Contrary to what we sometimes see in private events, these are not races between friends. Above all, there is a sporting issue. The spectacle on the track is modified. »

As a result of federal involvement in the Historic Tour, a panel of commissioners is present on each round, with the aim of guaranteeing sporting and technical fairness as rigorous as in Modern. The technical regulations applied to each category also correspond to period documents. Only the safety file has been updated (Hans for the driver, a roll bar for the roadsters, etc.).

Although he is now optimistic, uncertainty did not spare Laurent Vallery-Masson during confinement. “At the beginning of June, we still did not know under what circumstances the 3rd Historic Grand Prix of Albi could be held. Fortunately, the trend is towards relaxation of health standards. » These must be scrupulously respected in order to ensure the proper organization of the meeting, both by the participants and the public (4 people maximum on the site).

Like other public places, barrier gestures will be on the agenda (hydroalcoholic gel dispensers) as will physical distancing (spaced out paddock locations). Wearing a mask will be recommended. “Everyone understands that spectators, even if they will be able to wander around the paddock, will not be able to put their heads in all the cockpits or be in direct contact with the competitors, indicates Laurent Vallery-Masson. Lovers of aperitifs and receptions, trademarks of HVM Racing, will be well worth their time, at least in Albi. “We cannot bring everyone together in one place. We will toast with all the necessary distancing, and the atmosphere will be as friendly as usual,” he assures. The passion for motorsport will be enough to warm up the atmosphere, it's about time!

Categories in detail

You will definitely find the right shoe for you on the Historic Tour. The 11 historic plateaus are divided into three categories (Single seat, Protos, GT/Tourism) and promise a unique variety for a French Championship.

F3 Classic Trophy (1971-1984) + Formula Renault Classic (1971-1994)

The headliners at HVM Racing meetings for two decades have been F3s built before the appearance of carbon chassis and electronic injection in order to contain operating costs. Tolerance is greater in Formula Renault with a coexistence of turbo and atmospheric engines.

SportProtosCup (1950-1994)

Appearing in 2015, the prototypes were until now separated into five distinct classes, due to their date of approval (CN, C3, Historic 2000, and Sports 2000). In 2020, the History section was added Endurance, reserved for larger displacement prototypes from the 1966/1971 period.

Challenge Formula Ford Historic (1967-1981)

The single engine, a Ford 1 Kent, only delivers 600 horsepower, but with a featherweight of 100 kg, the performance of these single-seaters and the driving sensations remain first-rate. This undoubtedly explains the growing success of this Challenge, with 420 competitors in Albi.

Formula Ford Kent-Zetec Trophy (1967-2004)

For the first time, this Trophy, including Formula Fords more recent and more powerful than the Challenge, is entitled to its own races. The Van Diemen chassis take the lion's share, but the Mygales, Crosslé and even a Rondeau are in the mix.

Youngtimers GTI Cup (1982-1990) + Roadsters Pro Cup (1990-1993)

The fashion for 80's bombs is booming on the second-hand market, and motorsport is no exception. Helped by the Mazda MX-5 from the Roadsters Pro Cup, the Honda Civic, Citroën AX and other Volkswagen Golf GTIs will put on a show with their very playful behavior.

ASAVÉ Racing 65 (1947-1965)

Prestige is essential, as is pleasure for the eyes and ears. This evidence is reflected just by sliding the list of cars present in the Tarn: Chevrolet Corvette C2, Ford Cortina, Lotus Elan or even a Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupé!

ASAVÉ Racing 75 (1966-1975)

Les belles Lola T70 et Porsche 910 du mythique Groupe 4 évolueront en compagnie des Porsche 911 RSR et De Tomaso Pantera. Celles-ci ont les égards du plus long temps de roulage (45 minutes de course). Le changement de pilote est possible, mais pas obligatoire.

Lotus Trophy (1982-1990)

The cup dedicated to the English firm and its most emblematic model, the Seven, is the oldest historic championship of the weekend (creation in 1987). The descendant Caterham 1 is also accepted.

Maxi 1300 Series (1950-1976)

As its name suggests, only engines with a maximum displacement of 1 cm300 are tolerated. Even if you will only see small formats (Autobianchi, Austin Cooper, Simca) in these races, the races will not lack spice... nor late braking with technical characteristics close to a kart.

Saloon Cars (1960-1999) + GT Classic (1982-1997)

It’s hard to be more eclectic. The technical rules of Saloon Cars have given great freedom to mechanical wizards for 32 years to improve their GT or touring car. The GT Classic for its part accepts 140 different models!

Legend Cars Cup

This field, invited to Albi, is one-design: a small tubular chassis (3,2 m long) combined with a 900 cc motorcycle engine, of Yamaha origin, and a 6-speed sequential gearbox. Little grip on the program, but some hell of a fight.

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