Tour Auto 2025 – Stage 4: Volcanoes, hills and thrills on the asphalt

The crews of the Auto Tour 2025 left the Auvergne lands at dawn for a total immersion in the Massif Central, crossing its austere plateaus and deep forests, linking timed events on the road and a legendary passage on the Charade circuit. A condensed version of motorsport at its most demanding, before concluding this long day in the elegant medieval city of Villeneuve lez Avignon, on the banks of the Rhône.

Charade: The Living Myth

The day got off to a strong start with the circuit event held on the formidable Charade circuit, often nicknamed the "mini-Nürburgring" due to its winding terrain, technical sequences and location in the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Park. It was a real trip down memory lane for enthusiasts: this legendary circuit, which hosted the Formula 1 in the 60s and 70s, remains one of the most demanding in Europe.

@Peter Auto

In this breathtaking setting, Jérémy Mennechet and Laurent Loubet, faithful to their domination since the start of the event, once again imposed their pace at the wheel of their Ferrari 308 Gr.IV Michelotto (#264). Their ease on this type of terrain made the difference: precise trajectories, precise braking and downforce management allowed the duo to brilliantly win in the Competition category.

The Haut Lignon: high speed and adaptation

The rest of the stage took the participants to the Haut Lignon special stage, on faster roads, alternating between dense forests and open expanses at over 1 meters above sea level. A true test of adaptability, given the frequent changes of pace.

In Regularity, it is the crew Jack Oxenford / Ricardo Diaz, aboard their Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 (#37), which proved to be the most consistent, handling the course's pitfalls with composure and precision. In Competition, Mennechet and Loubet notched another victory with their Ferrari, continuing their impressive run, without giving their rivals any respite.

The Gerbier: the mountain trap

To conclude this marathon day, the competitors faced a final road test in the heights of Gerbier, famous for its steep topography and its roads with constant twists and turns. This course, as beautiful as it was treacherous, demanded constant concentration.

@Peter Auto

And this is where the hierarchies were slightly shaken up. In Regularity, Emmanuel Peyre de Fabregues and Charles Van Wonterghem stood out at the wheel of their agile Austin Mini Cooper S 1275 (#69). Lightweight, responsive, and perfectly suited to this type of track, the little British car proved that it still has its place in a field dominated by powerful GTs.

In the Competition category, there was a change of scenery: the BMW M1 Procar (#250) of Olivier Breittmayer and Pierre Sibille proved imperious. On this mountain-themed special, the legendary Bavarian car displayed its full potential, combining stability and power to deliver a well-deserved victory to its crew.

Heading for the Mediterranean

This Saturday, April 12, the competitors begin the fifth and final stage of the 2025 Tour Auto, with a final route that will take them to Nice, on the sunny shores of the Mediterranean. A final road race is on the program, which could yet again reshuffle the cards, even if some crews—starting with the Mennechet / Loubet tandem—now seem firmly entrenched in the lead.

The tension is rising, the finish is looming, but in the Tour Auto, nothing is ever certain before the checkered flag.

READ ALSO : Tour Auto: third day between Alsace, Beaujolais and Auvergne