Historic Tour Ledenon | Meeting presentation

FULL THROTTLE THROUGH THE VALLEYS!

Now in its eleventh year, the Historic Tour continues its journey across French circuits. After a stop at Dijon-Prenois in early April, another iconic venue of French motorsport awaits the competitors from May 16 to 18: the Lédenon Circuit, located near Nîmes in the Gard department. This unique track, active for over half a century, is famous for its dramatic elevation changes that follow the natural contours of the region. Measuring 3.150 km in length, it also stands out for its counterclockwise layout—a rarity in the world of circuit racing.

As in every round of the season, the program promises to be packed. Friday will be dedicated to practice sessions, followed by a weekend featuring 17 races across 9 different grids. A 90-minute endurance race will cap off Saturday’s action. Spectators will get to admire a wide variety of historic vehicles, ranging from single-seaters to touring cars, including prototypes and GTs, from the 1950s to the 2000s.

Around 200 cars will be competing, driven by nearly 220 entrants from all over France and several neighboring European countries. Among the most anticipated grids, the Formula Ford Kent grid will bring together no fewer than 30 cars, while the Lotus Trophy has 31 entrants. Additionally, two highlights of the weekend will allow spectators exceptional access to the starting grid before the races begin: Formula Ford Kent on Saturday and Formula Renault Classic on Sunday, as part of a “Grid Walk” experience reserved for those who opt in for this immersive event.

FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS UPDATE

After an opening round in early April with weather more typical of June in Burgundy, the drivers faced off in their respective double races (except for the 200 KM), kicking off their campaigns for the French Championship. In the Single-Seaters/Prototypes category, four drivers achieved a perfect start: François Belle (Formula Ford Historic), Axel Castillou (Formula Ford Kent), Pierre Boite (Formula Renault Historic & Classic), and Louis Kolly (Proto Classic), all tied at the top with 80 points.

In the Pre-90 GT/Touring category, three double winners share the lead: Philippe Gandini (Maxi 1300 Series), Laurent Hofmann (Maxi 2L Classic), and Olivier Dusailly (Racing Over 2L). In the Post-90 GT/Touring category, Patrick Delannoy leads solo with 75 points, following a second place in Race 1 and a win in Race 2 in GT Classic. He is followed by three joint second-place drivers with 70 points each: Yannick Blanc (Roadster Pro Cup), winner of Race 1 and third in Race 2; Julien Nougaret (Roadster Pro Cup), twice second; and Gaël Grandpierre, third in Race 1 and winner of Race 2 in the Youngtimers GTi Cup.

Finally, in the Historic Endurance category, the traditional 200 KM of the Historic Tour saw Sébastien Mathieu claim victory behind the wheel of his Porsche 996 GT3 Cup, ahead of Jean-Pierre Destombes and the duo Christian Danne / Julien Grenet.

WHAT RACES, WHAT CARS, WHAT DRIVERS?

FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP – SINGLE-SEATERS/PROTOTYPES

Formula Ford Kent Trophy

• Races: Saturday 13:30 and Sunday 15:10 (2 x 15 laps)

• Cars: Pre-1993 Formula Ford Kent single-seaters + non-trophy Formula Ford Zetec

• Notable Drivers: Sanjuan, Dousse, Vaglio-Giors, Monteiro, Faucher, etc.

Formula Renault Classic Trophy

• Races: Saturday 15:40 and Sunday 13:50 (2 x 16 laps)

• Cars: Pre-1995 Formula Renault Historic & Pre-2010 Classic

• Notable Drivers: Vallery-Masson, Martin, Girardet, Boite, Fresnais

Formula Ford Historic Challenge

• Races: Saturday 09:35 and Sunday 09:40 (2 x 15 laps)

• Cars: Pre-1982 Formula Ford single-seaters

• Notable Drivers: Belle, Genecand, Prévost, Kunz, Devaux, etc.

FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP – GT/TOURING PRE-1990

Lotus Trophy

• Races: Saturday 14:50 and Sunday 10:20 (2 x 16 laps)

• Cars: Lotus Seven and early Caterhams

• Notable Drivers: Jacquet, Delhaye, Vulliez, N. Beloou, Berrezai, Szyndelman, etc.

Maxi 2L Classic

• Races: Saturday 10:50 and Sunday 11:05 (2 x 13 laps – shared with Maxi 1300 Series)

• Cars: Pre-1981 GT/Touring under 2000cc and 200hp

• Notable Drivers: Teyssier, Rossi Di Montelera, Mora, Lagache, Mathay, Breugnot

Maxi 1300 Series

• Races: Saturday 10:50 and Sunday 11:05 (2 x 13 laps – shared with Maxi 2L Classic)

• Cars: Pre-1977 GT/Touring under 1300cc

• Notable Drivers: Gandini, Grandpierre, Pouillon, Eynard Machet, Petit, Puget, Aubrun

FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP – GT/TOURING POST-1990

Roadster Pro Cup

• Races: Sunday 09:00 and 15:50 (2 x 13 laps)

• Cars: First-generation Mazda MX-5

• Notable Drivers: Blanc, Bonneau, Reitz, Bouet, Bouchet, etc.

Saloon Cars Trophy

• Races: Saturday 14:10 and Sunday 14:30 (2 x 15 laps – shared with GT Classic Trophy)

• Cars: Pre-1999 GT/Touring

• Notable Drivers: Lefebvre, Wilders, Lortal, Pirio, Beck, etc.

GT Classic Trophy

• Races: Saturday 14:10 and Sunday 14:30 (2 x 15 laps – shared with Saloon Cars Trophy)

• Cars: Pre-1998 GTs

• Notable Drivers: Delannoy, Smaniotto, Mathieu, Le Flem, Besson, Cooper, Roche

Youngtimers GTI Cup + Superberline 2.0L

• Races: Saturday 11:30 and Sunday 11:45 (2 x 13 laps)

• Cars: Pre-1991 GTIs under 2L + Super Saloons under 2L

• Notable Drivers:

  • Youngtimers: Vitry, Moreau, Grandpierre, Latz, Chaulan, etc.

  • Superberline: Pozzobon, Grand, Monneron, Ratte, Hebette, etc.

FRENCH HISTORIC ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP

200 km of the Historic Tour

• Race: Saturday 16:55 (90 minutes)

• Cars: Eligible prototypes/GTs/touring cars from the Historic Tour grids

• Notable Drivers: Danne/Grenet, Berrezai, Le Flem, Faye, Remy-Spire/Furet, Chateaux, Besson/Gagnard, etc.

Media Contact: presse@hvmracing.fr