The Tour Auto Rally 2018 was held April 23-28 on the secondary roads and race circuits of France. After the traditional start in the Grand Palais, in which the cars were displayed for 10,000 Parisian enthusiasts, the 27th retrospective of the Tour de France Automobile followed a unique 2,100-kilometer course that was a blend of closed country roads and racing tracks. The crews ended their journey in Nice, the historic final destination of the original Tour de France automobile.
Organized by Peter Auto, the Tour Auto Rally 2018 ended on Saturday April 28 with three special stages in the Provencal hinterland and the finish on the Place Massena in Nice. The 239 crews that took part left the Grand Palais in Paris five days earlier: they will take away unforgettable memories of the route that gave them the opportunity to discover the most beautiful roads in France.
On their journey from the French capital to Nice with stopovers in Besançon, Megève, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence they drank in the beauty and variety of the landscapes they crossed. They all shared exciting moments at the wheel of the cars they had carefully prepared for the new 2100-kilometre route. And among them were the lucky few who tasted the magic thrill of victory.
Highlighted in the 27th running were cars that have written the Tour’s legend: BMW, Ferrari, Alpine, Ford GT40, Jaguar E-Type and MK II, Lancia Stratos, Ligier JS2, Porsche, Shelby Cobra and other exceptional models produced from 1951 to 1980. Also celebrated in the 2018 Tour Auto Rally were very rare Italian makes that have now disappeared, such as Autobianchi, Cisitalia, De Tomaso, Osca, Lombardi, Moretti and Siata.
The Swiss crew of Raphael Favaro and Yves Badan in their Lotus Elan 26R emerged victorious in the Tour Auto Rally 2018. They took advantage of the late gearbox problems that hit the seemingly invincible Ford GT40 driven by the British crew of Andrew Smith and James Cottingham in the second-to-last stage of the rally. The victors of the 2017 event had to retire after scoring 10 out of the 14 wins possible.
Only their fellow-countrymen, Chris Ward and Andy Elcomb in a Jaguar E-Type were able to challenge their domination by clinching victory in two stages. Their hopes of a finish on the 2018 Tour Auto Optic 2ooo podium were dashed by a retirement on the Paul Ricard circuit. Thus, first place in the overall classification went to the Swiss duo Raphael Favaro-Yves Badan in their Lotus Elan 26R, followed by the French pair Frédéric Jousset and Paul Miliotis in a Shelby Cobra 289 and Damien Kohler and Sylvie Laboisne in another Lotus Elan 26R.
French crew Patrick Hautot-Sylvain Cantrel won Group G1 and G2 in their Ford GT40, while Americans Cooper Mac Neil-Gunnar Jeannette sealed victory in the H1/H2/I Group in their Porsche 911 RSR 3.0L and Jean-François and Chloé Pénillard in their Porsche 356 Pre-A Coupe came first in the Index of Performance.
In the Regularity category victory went to French crew Jean Rigondet-Olivier Souillard who dominated from the first to the last day of the rally in their CG 1200 S. The Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV of Nicolas Pagano-Michel Périn scraped home in second place after coming under pressure from the Argentinean pairing, Tomas Hinrichsen and Solange Mayo’s Maserati 200 SI, who won the Index of Performance.
Once again the spirit of the Tour Auto 2ooo conquered big crowds proved by the large number of spectators who thronged to the Grand Palais and the finish of the stages, as well as the Dijon-Prenois, Bresse, Lédenon and Paul Ricard circuits. It was also the case at the ten special stages run on closed roads.
The Tour Auto Rally is right near the top of our favorite events annually covered at Sports Car Digest. And simple as it sounds, it’s also an event we’d really like to participate in, which makes it much more exciting when pictures roll in from the field. This week brings our first gallery from the hyper-competitive rally staged on the back roads and race circuits of France.
Similar to 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, Sports Car Digest also documented the 2018 Tour Auto with the following stunning pictures that show the strong field of entrants and outstanding views of the French countryside.
Tour Auto Rally 2018 – Photo Gallery (photos: Peter Auto)
Francois de GAILLARD / Geoffroy de GAILLARD FRA / FRA PEUGEOT 203 1951
Overall Winners – Raphael FAVARO / Yves BADAN CHE / CHE LOTUS Elan 26R 1965
Frederic JOUSSET / Paul MILIOTIS FRA / FRA SHELBY Cobra 289 1965
Damien KOHLER / Sylvie LABOISNE FRA / FRA LOTUS Elan 26R 1965
Jean RIGONDET / Olivier SOUILLARD FRA / FRA CG 1200 S 1971
Nicolas PAGANO / Michel PERIN FRA / FRA ALFA ROMEO 1750 GTV 1968
Tomas HINRICHSEN / Solange MAYO ARG / ARG MASERATI 200 SI 1957
Jean-Francois PENILLARD / Chloe PENILLARD FRA / FRA PORSCHE 356 Pre A 1954
Overall Winners – Raphael FAVARO / Yves BADAN CHE / CHE LOTUS Elan 26R 1965
Raphael FAVARO / Yves BADAN CHE / CHE LOTUS Elan 26R 1965
Christian LIMMER / Ferdinand LIMMER DEU / DEU PORSCHE 911 2,0L 1965
Morris Mini Cooper S – 2018 Tour Auto Rally
Maximo Jose BACCANELLI / Maria Paula SALIMEI ARG / ARG FERRARI 275 GTB 1965
Alexandre DELAYE / Jean-Baptiste REPELLIN FRA / FRA BMW 2800 CS 1971
Timm MEINRENKEN / Fynn SCHRODER DEU / DEU ALFA ROMEO 1750 GTAM 1968
Christian ODIN / Roland SALVI FRA / FRA FORD Mustang 289 1965
Jean-Francois BARRE / Christophe de BOUET DU PORTAL FRA / FRA BMW 2002 1972
James COTTINGHAM / Andrew SMITH GBR / GBR FORD GT40 MKI 1965
Gerard SALAT / Jean-Pierre BIGGI FRA / FRA RENAULT 8 Gordini 1967
Georges ROCCHIETTA / Frederic LORENZI FRA / FRA MORRIS Cooper S 1300 MKI 1966
Simon NOBILI / Emmanuel DRAI ITA / FRA JAGUAR MKII 3,8L 1961
Jean-Pierre MARGAINAUD / Jean-Baptiste MARGAINAUD FRA / FRA BMW 2800 CS 1969
Jurgen BODEN / Remi DARGEGEN AUT / FRA ABARTH SIMCA 2000 GT 1963
SEGOLEN / Andre ROCHER FRA / FRA RENAULT 12 Gordini 1973
Christian CHAMBORD / Patrick FOURESTIE BEL / FRA ALPINE RENAULT A110 1800 Gr.IV 1972
Nicolas LEROY-FLEURIOT / Adrien AUDIBERT FRA / FRA FERRARI 308 Gr.IV Michelotto 1977
Cooper MAC NEIL / Gunnar JEANNETTE USA / USA PORSCHE 911 Carrera RSR 3,0L 1974
Christophe VAN RIET / Caroline GRIFNEE BEL / BEL PORSCHE 911 Carrera RSR 3,0L 1974
Patrick HAUTOT / Sylvain CANTREL FRA / FRA FORD GT40 MKII 1968
Armand MILLE / Guillaume MAHE FRA / FRA PORSCHE 911 Carrera RS 3,0L 1974
Philippe VANDROMME / Frederic VIVIER FRA / FRA FORD GT40 MKII 1967
Rolf RICHTER / Moritz RICHTER DEU / DEU PORSCHE 911 Carrera RS 3,0L 1973
Jean-Claude BASSO / Robert VERBER FRA / FRA BMW 3.0 CSL 1972
Alexandre DELAYE / Jean-Baptiste REPELLIN FRA / FRA BMW 2800 CS 1971
Alain GADAL / Francois LALOGE FRA / FRA PORSCHE 911 Carrera RS 3,0L 1974
Christian ODIN / Roland SALVI FRA / FRA FORD Mustang 289 1965
Raphael FAVARO / Yves BADAN CHE / CHE LOTUS Elan 26R 1965
Luis DELSO / Carlos DE MIGUEL ESP / ESP ALFA ROMEO Giulietta Sprint 1957
Alison EMRINGER / Charles-Edouard TRAEGER FRA / FRA LANCIA Flaminia Sport Zagato 1960
Georges ROCCHIETTA / Frederic LORENZI FRA / FRA MORRIS Cooper S 1300 MKI 1966
Christophe d\’INDY / Maxime LEPISSIER FRA / FRA BMW 2800 CS 1971
Bernard QUEYROIX / Francoise QUEYROIX FRA / FRA MORRIS Cooper S 1300 MKI 1965
Francois DUMEZ / Julia CHAMOT ROOKE FRA / FRA BMW 507 1957
Richard HADJIMEGRIAN / Adrien DUTOUR FRA / FRA AUSTIN HEALEY 100/4 1955
Robert DAVIS / Micah DAVIS USA / USA SIATA 208 S 1953
Lee MALONE / Glenn MOULE GBR / AUS PORSCHE 914/6 1970
Nicolas SIEBENSCHUH / Denis SIEBENSCHUH FRA / FRA BMW 2002 TI 1975
Stephen LASRY / Marc-Edouard EYMERI FRA / FRA MORRIS Cooper S 1300 MKI 1964
Jerome BARRE / Patrick PERCEVAULT FRA / FRA MG B 1963
Pierre LE GLOAHEC-HENANFF / Guillaume LE METAYER FRA / FRA JAGUAR MKI 3,4L 1959
Auson EMRINGER / Charles-Edouard TRAEGER FRA / FRA LANCIA Flaminia Sport Zagato 1960
Philippe FICHET / Xavier MALENFER FRA / FRA LANCIA Fulvia 1600 HF 1972
Philip KADOORIE / Julian BYRNE HKG / USA LANCIA Stratos Gr.IV 1974
Isabelle MARQUIS / Lisa COLIN FRA / FRA ALPINE RENAULT A110 1600 SC 1975
Alexandre LEFEVRE / Martial SAVLE FRA / FRA DE TOMASO Pantera 1974
Ford Mustang 289 – 2018 Tour Auto Rally
Pierre MOREL / Xavier BONNEVILLE FRA / FRA CHEVROLET Corvette C3 1969
Francois ALLAIN / Robert PUYAL FRA / FRA CITROEN 2 CV Type A 1952
Eric ANDRE / Ugo ANDRE FRA / FRA VOLVO 122 S 1967
Christophe d\’INDY / Maxime LEPISSIER FRA / FRA BMW 2800 CS 1971
Regis HARDUIN / Guillaume de BEAUFORT FRA / FRA BMW 2002 Turbo 1975
Olivier ELLERBROCK / Oliver LOUISODER DEU / DEU SHELBY Cobra Daytona 1964
2018 Tour Auto Rally
James COTTINGHAM / Andrew SMITH GBR / GBR FORD GT40 MKI 1965
James COTTINGHAM / Andrew SMITH GBR / GBR FORD GT40 MKI 1965
Ombeline de CLERMONT-TONNERRE / Fabrice BOURGEOIS FRA / FRA ALFA ROMEO Giulia TZ 1963
James COTTINGHAM / Andrew SMITH GBR / GBR FORD GT40 MKI 1965
Ombeline de CLERMONT-TONNERRE / Fabrice BOURGEOIS FRA / FRA ALFA ROMEO Giulia TZ 1963
Joachim von FINCKENSTEIN / Christina von FINCKENSTEIN DEU / DEU AUTOBIANCHI A112 Abarth 1975
Simon NOBILI / Emmanuel DRAI ITA / FRA JAGUAR MKII 3,8L 1961
Jean-Michel ARLAUD / Marie-Francoise ARLAUD FRA / FRA PORSCHE 356 B Coupe 1600 S 90 1961
BMW 2002 Tii duo – 2018 Tour Auto Rally
Pierre MOREL / Xavier BONNEVILLE FRA / FRA CHEVROLET Corvette C3 1969
Stephane PECULIER / Stephanie VIELLARD FRA / FRA OPEL 1900 GT 1973
Robert JANER / Antoine JANER FRA / FRA ASTON MARTIN DB 2/4 Mk III 1958
Norbert SCHMITZ KOEP / Stephen CURTIS DEU / GBR FERRARI 250 GT Boano 1957
Christophe MERY / Jacques de VOGEL CHE / FRA PORSCHE 356 A 1956
Tomas HINRICHSEN / Solange MAYO ARG / ARG MASERATI 200 SI 1957
2018 Tour Auto Rally
Richard MILLE / Yvan MAHE FRA / FRA FORD Galaxie 1963
BMW 2002 – 2018 Tour Auto Rally
2018 Tour Auto Rally
2018 Tour Auto Rally
James COTTINGHAM / Andrew SMITH GBR / GBR FORD GT40 MKI 1965
2018 Tour Auto Rally
Dominique GEOFFRAY / Isabelle PINTENAT FRA / FRA FIAT 124 Abarth 1973
2018 Tour Auto Rally
2018 Tour Auto Rally
2018 Tour Auto Rally
FERRARI 308 Gr.IV Michelotto
Gerard BESSON / Marie-Odile BESSON FRA / FRA ALPINE RENAULT A310 V6 Gr.IV 1979
FERRARI 308 Gr.IV Michelotto
ALPINE RENAULT A110 1800 Gr.IV 1970
Jaguar XK – 2018 Tour Auto Rally
2018 Tour Auto Rally
Ferrari 275 GTB – 2018 Tour Auto Rally
Philippe VANDROMME / Frederic VIVIER FRA / FRA FORD GT40 MKII 1967
FORD Mustang 289 1965
Frederic JOUSSET / Paul MILIOTIS FRA / FRA SHELBY Cobra 289 1965
Jean-Francois BARRE / Christophe de BOUET DU PORTAL FRA / FRA BMW 2002 1972
Frederic LEMOS / Julien ROLLET FRA / FRA JAGUAR XK 150 S Coupe 1960
Joachim von FINCKENSTEIN / Christina von FINCKENSTEIN DEU / DEU AUTOBIANCHI A112 Abarth 1975
Gaby von OPPENHEIM / Andreas MIDDENDORF DEU / DEU PORSCHE 911 2,0L 1965
Bertrand PENLAE / Anne PENLAE FRA / FRA PORSCHE 911 2,0L 1965
Christian CHAVY / Robert KORB FRA / FRA PORSCHE 911 2,0L 1965
Frederic LEMOS / Julien ROLLET FRA / FRA JAGUAR XK 150 S Coupe 1960
Luis DELSO / Carlos DE MIGUEL ESP / ESP ALFA ROMEO Giulietta Sprint 1957
Pascal DUHAMEL / Vincent CUNY FRA / FRA AC Aceca 1956
Laurent DESPLACES / Marion DESPLACES FRA / FRA FERRARI 275 GTB 1966
Olivier MAZOYER / Rachid EL BAKKOURI FRA / FRA MG A 1959
Philippe BELIN / Dominique ROSELLO FRA / FRA AUSTIN Cooper S 1300 1968
Sebastien BERCHON / Julien CHADENET FRA / FRA AUSTIN HEALEY 100/4 1956
Jean-Marie FABRE / Mathieu PLANCHON FRA / FRA AUSTIN HEALEY 100/4 1956
Gilles COURAUDON / Marielle COURAUDON FRA / FRA PORSCHE 356 Pre A 1954
Jean-Francois PENILLARD / Chloe PENILLARD FRA / FRA PORSCHE 356 Pre A 1954
Stephane MOREAU / Emmanuel DURAND FRA / FRA MG B 1964
Jean-Marc MERLIN / Sophie MERLIN FRA / FRA PORSCHE 911 2,5L ST Gr.IV 1972
FERRARI 308 Gr IV Michelotto 1980
Patrice GRAS / Daniel FARGEOT FRA / FRA FORD Mustang 1967
Mikael LOK / Mathieu VEDRENNE FRA / FRA JAGUAR Type E 3,8L 1962
Ralf HUBER GUTIERREZ / Valerie DOT CHE / FRA SHELBY Cobra 289 1964
Philippe VANDROMME / Frederic VIVIER FRA / FRA FORD GT40 MKII 1967
Timm MEINRENKEN / Fynn SCHRODER DEU / DEU ALFA ROMEO 1750 GTAM 1968
Mikael LOK / Mathieu VEDRENNE FRA / FRA JAGUAR Type E 3,8L 1962
Stephen LASRY / Marc-Edouard EYMERI FRA / FRA MORRIS Cooper S 1300 MKI 1964
Jean-Pierre LAJOURNADE / Christophe BOUCHET FRA / FRA JAGUAR Type E 3,8L 1962
Amaury LATHAM / Didier BAUD FRA / FRA FERRARI 308 Gr IV Michelotto 1976
Jean-Marc MERLIN / Sophie MERLIN FRA / FRA PORSCHE 911 2,5L ST Gr.IV 1972
Philippe VANDROMME / Frederic VIVIER FRA / FRA FORD GT40 MKII 1967
Patrick PAPPALARDO / Henri BONNET FRA / FRA PORSCHE 911 Carrera RSR 2,8L 1973
Francois-Xavier ENTREMONT / Jacques ENTREMONT FRA / FRA FERRARI 308 Gr IV Michelotto 1980
Luis DELSO / Carlos DE MIGUEL ESP / ESP ALFA ROMEO Giulietta Sprint 1957
Laurent DESPLACES / Marion DESPLACES FRA / FRA FERRARI 275 GTB 1966
Jean-François PIQUET / Jean-Michel TAILLER FRA / FRA LANCIA Fulvia 1600 HF 1970
Gaby von OPPENHEIM / Andreas MIDDENDORF DEU / DEU PORSCHE 911 2,0L 1965
Guillaume BRAJEUX / Augustin BRAJEUX FRA / FRA MORRIS Cooper S 1300 MKI 1964
Christophe KUHBIER / Mathieu GAUTRIN FRA / FRA ALFA ROMEO 2600 Sprint 1964
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The photography , scenery ! then there is the cars Stunning
Cracking set of pictures. Having also followed Tour Auto across France and taken lots of pictures, the route and the entry really ensure no one set of pictures is the same!
Sublime setting, amazing cars and drivers – a thoroughly wonderful selection of photographs. Possibly my favourite is: Patrick HAUTOT / Sylvain CANTREL FRA / FRA FORD GT40 MKII 1968 racing through the blurred back and foreground. Thank you.
Great photography, or an epic event!
Thank You!
great event …..your images are very poor..get a long lens
Very nice work, thanks for covering the event and the great images. Ignore the haters.
Mike
Great photographs and finally someone who also mentions the drivers/co-pilots names- we can all tell a 2 CV from a Cobra!
Great photos. it looks like a great event, but only one picture of the Abarth and where was the OSCA mentioned in the introduction?
Great pics, thanks a lot. Bucket list just grew a bit
I don’t think I am brave enough to drive a Citroen like that! Amazing! Lovely photos, thanks.