Ypres, a Belgian story loved by the French

Created in 1965 by Franz Thevelin, the event was first called “Inter-Stallen Critérium”. If the following eight editions took place under the name “12 Hours of Ypres”, it was in 1974, when it celebrated its 10th anniversary, that the famous name “24 Hours of Ypres” appeared. It lasted until 1996. Organized just across the border, Ypres being 30 km north of Lille, this rally quickly attracted French crews. The first to really stand out was Jean Vinatier, 2 in 1970 on his Berlinette. The 1969 French champion was not an isolated case since at the same time as him there were competitors of multiple nationalities