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I am delighted to have this opportunity to present the “classical” 2011 version of an event which was first held 19 years ago. At the time, I would never have imagined this! Having brought new life to the great names in the history of rallies – the Corsica in 1987, the Alpine Rally in 1988 and the Tour de France in 1989 – I then had the idea of organizing an original winter event. This would start from the capital and would have, on the program, two circuits over two days – although originally reserved for vintage vehicles, it would later include modern grand tourers.
The Paris Rally was born.
After 17 editions, Stéphane Giraud and myself have witnessed the modernization of the vehicles which take part: 10% of the vehicles were modern 10 years ago, compared to 75% last year. Although there is a certain passion for both categories, their performances and uses are not at all comparable. Thus, faced with this logical development, the idea of proposing two rallies in the same spirit became quite natural – with each one being different and adapted to the cars.
Large and fast circuits, with simplified links, are scheduled for the modern GTs, whilst more winding roads with itineraries on smaller secondary roads have been selected for the vintage cars.
Many of you possess both exceptional modern cars and older vintage cars. On March 18th, 2011, departing from the Eiffel Tower, we now offer you the possibility of experiencing two magical days in the constantly developing technology of the 21st century. Alternatively, you can join us on April 2nd to experience the great sensations of the
vintage cars in the “Classic” rally.
I am both a collector and a generalist and I love all cars. It is a real pleasure for the Rallystory team to see you driving cars with such different shapes, capacities and mechanical designs. What memories come flooding back at the wheel of these legendary cars: the metallic sound of a Porsche’s air-cooled engines; the road-holding of a Mini Cooper; the gear change of a Ferrari V12; the charm of a Morgan or an Austin Healey; the throaty sound of the engines of a Mustang V8 or Corvette; the agility of the small Alpine, Lotus Elan or Alfa Romeo saloons, without forgetting the never-ending bonnet of the Jaguar E-type – a car which will celebrate its 50th anniversary on the same date as the rally! These models of sports car have all played their part in a century of automobile history, by constantly contributing towards the development of safety, reliability and user comfort with technological advances such as independent wheels, disc brakes, heating and de-icing, lighting and seatbelts and injection engines, etc…
I would like to thank you all very much for participating in the Paris Rally and for building on its success since 1993.
Hervé CHARBONNEAUX
More infos :
Friday April 1st
11H - 19H Welcome of participants and administrative inspections at the Eiffel Tower, Paris
Supervised car park
Saturday April 2nd
8H STAGE 1: PARIS – MONTLHERY RACETRACK
12H30 - 14H Trial sessions
12H - 14H Lunch at the racetrack
13H30 - 15H30 Consistency trials
16H STAGE 2: MONTLHERY RACETRACK - REIMS
20H Evening meal at the Pommery Estate and night in Reims
Sunday April 3rd
8H STAGE 3: REIMS – ECUYERS RACETRACK
10H - 11H30 Trial sessions
11H30 - 13H Consistency trials
13H30 Lunch and awards ceremony at the racetrack
Entre 15h et 17h, After lunch, from 3 pm to 5 pm, non-stop free runs for 2 hours under the supervision
of the RALLYSTORY marshals.
This is a provisionnal programme and is subject to alteration.
Photos Phillippe Fugier 2010 www.philippefugier.com
