Rallycross Legends ignited Lohéac

Set up in 2016 by Philippe Tollemer, the son of Pierre who launched the Rallycross in France with Michel Hommell, this association brings together historic cars that have marked the history of the discipline.

“I had this idea in the 2000s when I saw that the public recognized the stars of the glorious era,” explains Philippe Tollemer after his first qualifying session where he indicated that he was going to reduce engine power, his bike being too oversteering.

On the Ille-et-Vilaine circuit, a peloton of 17 cars delighted the public with a number of slips and a few contacts. However, there is nothing at stake here, only the pleasure of driving and sharing the passion with spectators without fear of damage. The most nostalgic could notably see Jean-Luc Pailler's Citroën BX, theAlpine Gustave Tarrière's A310 S1600, Pat Dorran's (Liam's father) Ford RS 200 Evolution I and even the Peugeot 208 T16 of the organizer.

“We thought with the FFSA about ways to put this in place. The most complicated thing was being able to run the 4-wheel drive Group Bs which had been banned from competition. We received help from Dominique Dubourg (director of the rallycross commission at the FFSA and the team of the same name)”, specifies Philippe Tollemer.

In order to fill the grids, Rallycross Legends has joined forces with an identical structure that has existed for several years in Great Britain. She thus welcomes the British entrants during the world round in Lohéac and is invited to the British event now contested at Silverstone.

“We take the greatest care in selecting the drivers who participate in our events, adds Philippe Tollemer. I have a bunch of crazy dogs with me but there is no question of seeing a hothead show up who destroys everything in his path. »

The choice of cars and their decoration is another major parameter, the organizers favoring diversity with Minis facing Simca 1000s. Rally, Ford Sierra Cosworth RS or Renault 5 Turbo. Rallycross Legends currently has 5 events per season with 4 rounds contested alongside the French Championship races, as well as the flagship meeting at Lohéac. The order of the qualifying heats is random to allow everyone to try their luck and to offer competitive races.

“It is the spectacle which is privileged here, confides Philippe Tollemer. If I am faster than my opponents, I prefer to start from the back of the grid. And if I find myself in the lead, I will take the joker turn from the start so that the leader changes. We are not here in a pure competition, but in a show where the spirit must remain good-natured. I watch over it. »

The success is in any case resounding with the public who particularly appreciate this mix between modern and historical.