Mulhouse - Aix-les-Bains, 10th of April, 2014
Thursayo was the longest day of this year’s Tour Auto. After 475
km, two special stages in the morning and the races at the
Circuit du Bresse the third day ended at the spa resort of
Aix-les-Baines at the Lac du Bourget. For the first special stage
at Montbeliard the Tour had to take the motorway to go
South-West for about 70 kilometers adding to the high amount of
kilometres the crews had to take under their wheels. This is not
uncommon on the TA to have these junctions between interesting
spots for the high speed trial on closed roads. After the chase
over the small country roads the tour led through a canyon, due to
the early morning sun just a few sun rays found their way over the
surrounding mountains of the Jura. After the chilly temperatures
down there the road climbed up so the participants could enjoy
the drive in perfect sunshine. At about 10:15 the first cars reached
Pontarlier where a picnic basket was handed over so the team
could stop at their own discretion, especially after the very late
lunch the day before for the participants of the regularity group
this might have been the better choice, especially as this also
safes time on this long day.
... MediaCenter Gallery >>>
Within the next few hours one could see every now and then
small groups sitting together in the shade to have their lunch,
especially near the Lac Saint-Point where great scenery could be
enjoyed. Strengthened the second special stage could be
overcome, this time a twisty mountain road leading up from the
assembly point at Chateau de Rotalier.
Just 30 kilometers later the circuit du Bresse was today’s race
track, unlike Dijon and especially Paul Ricard this is a rather
small circuit, but situated in the desired landscape of the Jury
area and on its way to the south this is a regular track on the
Tour Auto so most of the competitors already knew it from
previous editions.
With more than 150 kilometres to the final destination again the
motorway was the choice for the first miles to arrive at
Aix-les-Bains in time, again well after sunset. Situated at the Lac
Bourget the last few miles were along the lake and in the distance
one could see the Rhone-Alps.
Although the leading AC Cobra of Caron/Villaucourt was doing
very well both on the special stages and the race track a penalty
for a late appearance at one of the check points reduced the lead
on the following Jaguars and Cobras to about 40 seconds keeping
the same order in a pure Jaguar-Cobra battle.
Less fortunate is this year’s Tour Auto to the Lancia Stratos.
Today the second to last remaining Dino engined Lancia was
seen on the trailer ending this year’s event early just as four
others did the days before. Some of the favourites, Eric Comas
and German Rally driver Armin Schwarz had to quit even on the
first day.
The regularity class is still very close with the first cars just
separated by seconds; most likely the decision will be the very
last trial at Paul Ricard on Saturday.
As mentioned earlier the order of the groups will change tomorrow
with the regularity running in front of the competition classes. As
the last cars arrived late today the start will be late at 8 am
tomorrow to give them the deserved rest. Although just 300 km
long and therefore the shortest of the stages the competitors have
to master no less than three special stages. Even if there is no
track racing this will be an important day for the classification as
the opponents have no orientation what their rivals do on the
closed roads so one could either loose or win several seconds.
Report & images … Peter Singhof
www.ClassicCarPhotography.de
|
