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Highlights from the Tour de Corse Historique 2024

Photos: Tour de Course Historique

Julien Saunier and Frédéric Vauclare triumphed in their debut Tour de Corse Historique, taking the win in a Porsche 911 3.0 RS after five days of thrilling competition. Former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen made a strong impression in his first historic rally, while American rally legend John Buffum also completed the rally, making his Corsican debut at age 81. The event featured a rich mix of motorsport history, highlighted by the participation of five modern Kimera cars, presented by the manufacturer Kimera Automobili, as a tribute to the legendary Lancia 037.

Julien Saunier and Frédéric Vauclare claimed victory in their 1974 Porsche 911 3.0 RS after five days of intense rallying. It was Saunier’s first time competing in this prestigious rally, facing challenging conditions from the start, with rain adding complexity to the already difficult course during the first and third stages. Saunier, 42, led nearly the entire rally after taking command during the second special stage on Tuesday morning. The duo won seven of the seventeen special stages in total. Saunier had a major scare on Wednesday afternoon when the front suspension stops of his Porsche broke, but they managed to continue. Saunier attributed much of their success to his co-driver, Vauclare, who provided detailed reconnaissance notes that helped them navigate the complex terrain, especially during the rain. Saunier highlighted that Vauclare’s contribution was crucial to their win, crediting him with 60% of their victory.

Second place went to Tom Pieri and Fabien Cortes, driving a BMW M3. They finished just 45 seconds behind the winners after a close battle throughout the rally. Pieri, a young driver with aspirations of competing at the highest levels of modern rallying, described the experience as a dream come true, particularly driving the BMW M3, a car he had idolized as a child. He vowed to return next year to try to win.

Veteran driver Alain Oreille, a double Group N World Rally Champion in 1989 and 1990, finished third, an extraordinary achievement for the 71-year-old. His vast experience allowed him to secure a spot on the podium, showcasing his enduring skill in a Porsche 911.

Olivier Capanaccia and Audrey Nesta provided one of the most exciting stories of the rally. After experiencing electrical issues on the first day, which caused them to drop to 122nd place, they fought their way back to finish 9th overall, achieving five fastest stage times. Their resilience and determination made them one of the standout teams of the event.

The major attraction of the 2024 edition, Jos Verstappen, finished 21st. Competing in a Porsche 911, Verstappen’s debut in historic rallying attracted a lot of attention, and he quickly adapted to the unique demands of the Corsican roads. Used to the shorter, more controlled stages of the Belgian Championship, Verstappen found the long and winding Corsican stages both challenging and exhilarating. Despite a minor scare on the second day, when he grazed a parapet and caused light damage to his car, Verstappen continued to climb up the leaderboard. The Dutchman and his Belgian co-driver, Renaud Jamoul, were in the top ten until midday of the penultimate stage, when a mechanical issue caused by a minor oil leak forced them to incur a time penalty. Nevertheless, his performance was noteworthy, and his enthusiasm for this new form of motorsport was clear.

In the VHRS (Regularity) category, the competition was equally intense. Christophe Baillet and Jean-Marc Piret, driving a Porsche 911, overcame an early setback – a gearbox change on the first day – to eventually take the win. Their victory was far from easy, with Pierre and Olivier Feligioni, also in a Porsche 911, leading the standings for much of the rally. However, Baillet and Piret took the lead during the penultimate stage, eventually finishing six seconds ahead of the Feligioni duo. A Volkswagen Golf, driven by Stéphane Blaise and Robert Vandevost, rounded out the podium, offering a refreshing contrast to the Porsche-dominated field.

American rally legend John Buffum, at 81 years old, made his debut in the Tour de Corse Historique. Behind the wheel of a 1980 Ford Escort RS 2000, Buffum, along with his co-driver Ralph Beckman, finished 108th in the VHRS Regularity category. A seasoned competitor with 11 national titles and over 120 wins in his career, Buffum is the only American to have won a round of the European Rally Championship.

One of the rally’s key highlights was the tribute to the legendary Lancia 037. The event paid special attention to these iconic Group B cars, with three out of four finishing the rally, including the example driven by Bernard Revest and Pierre-Jean Finidori, who finished 19th. The celebration of the Lancia 037 was further enhanced by the presentation of five modern Kimera cars, unveiled by the manufacturer Kimera Automobili, adding a nostalgic yet contemporary element to the rally that thrilled both fans and participants alike.

As the 24th edition of the Tour de Corse Historique came to a close, it was clear that this rally continues to grow in stature on the international stage. With competitors ranging from rally legends to historic motorsport newcomers, the event offered an unparalleled mix of competition, camaraderie, and classic car enthusiasm. Many drivers expressed their admiration for the event’s organization and the challenges posed by Corsica’s demanding terrain.

Julien Saunier, VHC winner commented: ‘I didn’t know the car or the rally, and I hadn’t returned to the island since competing in the 2005 Corte rally. But we prepared well, with meticulous reconnaissance. The secret of our victory lies largely in Frédéric’s (Vauclare) incredibly precise notes. He even identified where water might flow in case of rain, and that’s exactly what happened! He coached me on when to push or hold back. Our victory is 60% his. It’s extraordinary because I’ve dreamed of participating in the Tour de Corse Historique for a long time – it’s a legendary rally.’

Jos Verstappen, commented on his first Corsican outing: ‘I’m happy we managed to reach the finish, but it’s been an intense few days. Clearly, it was a challenge with the roads, the pace notes… It was harder than we expected. I had a lot to discover. For me, a Porsche is never the easiest car to drive. We had to work on it to try to adapt it to my style, and by Friday we found some settings that worked quite well. During the final stage, the stages were shorter, so the tires struggled to get up to temperature, which was tricky to manage. Again, there are lessons to take away from that. Before the start, I said we’d face more corners in Corsica than we would all season in Belgium… but it was really much more than that! I also enjoyed the landscapes we passed through.’