François Delecour arrives at the Legend Boucles on a famous Ford Escort

Every year, Pierre Delettre, the organizer of the Legend Loops from Bastogne, is keen to invite a star from rally world “before”. Since he launched this historic rally on special stages closed to traffic, the list is impressive. We will cite, in disorder, Bjorn Waldegard and Mikko Hirvonen, to which were added new generation drivers like Bryan Bouffier, Kris Meeke or Stéphane Lefèbvre, the winner of the 2022 edition. This time, it is François Delecour who will settle into the famous Ford Escort PYB 106 pampered by Christophe Jacob. “Freine Tard” will be co-piloted by his partner Priscille de Belloy.

The native of the North will not completely evolve in unknown territory. “At the very beginning of the 1980s, when I lived in Cassel, I often went to Belgian rallies with friends. I didn't miss any. The show was fabulous. I was fascinated by Robert Droogmans driving the Ford Escort Belga. He was my idol. This championship with Patrick Snijers, on a BMW, then on a Porsche, Marc Duez (Porsche), Willy Plas (Fiat Ritmo Abarth), Guy Colsoul (Opel Manta 400) had a great time. I also remember Simon Everett twirling his Vauxhall Chevette on the Bianchi stages, and Malcolm Wilson at the wheel of a splendid Rothmans Ford Escort ».

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François Delecour appreciated the Plat Pays events so much that he did not hesitate to take part in the 1982 Boucles de Spa even though his experience had until then been limited to a rally in Picardy. « With Anne-Chantal (Pauwels), it was the time of resourcefulness and meager budgets. We played this round of the European Championship on a Peugeot 104 ZS painted blue on one side and yellow on the other. What a pleasure to ride the Clementine special on gravel. Unfortunately, I screwed up in the Artists' Ford. I got into the water too quickly. The engine didn't like it. »

Whatever. Delecour-Pauwels returned the following year on a Talbot Samba. “An anthology edition, remembers our interlocutor. The snow was falling in large flakes. The rally started from Spa and went to Bastogne. It seems that this was the longest edition of the Loops with more than 500 km timed! (This is confirmed by the total time of Marc Duez, the winner, with 6h53'24". Editor's note).

In some places, we could no longer see the road. We sometimes drove through the meadows without knowing it. I remember competing in a special stage on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit which was completely covered in snow. The total foot. Obviously, these dire conditions led to a cascade of abandonments. To the point that we were sailing around 10th place in the general classification. Unfortunately, the Samba's tank imploded five stages from the finish. »

Back to basics

Thus, forty years later, the sixty-year-old returns to the field of his first chronometric exploits. With the motivation of a young wolf. “It seems that the Escort that I am going to drive has a famous pedigree (5 victories, including 4 in a row. Editor’s note). I will throw all my strength into the battle to try to win this event. But above all I will be there to please myself and delight the public. I love this return to basics with the flying assistance on the side of the road and the proximity to the public.

That’s rallying. Today, the support areas of modern events no longer have a soul. Gigantic motor homes in which the mechanics get bored. Everything I hate. In Bastogne, at least, they will travel the road sections with vans filled with tires and jerrycans of gasoline. Like in the old days. I know, I sound like an old fart. But I assume! ".