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17. Tour de France Automobile

Various venues

Date: 14/9/1972 to: 24/9/1972
Track length: -
Attendance:
Entries accepted:
Starters: 80
Finishers: 36?

Pole position:
Fastest lap:

Distance:
Average speed:
Weather:
Ruleset: Group 4/71, Group 1, 2 and 3
Car info:  

Pictures

The Tour de France was a relict of the past in this championship. Apart from GT cars, group 1 and 2 cars were allowed as well, though no championship points for them, of course. No prototypes this year - the consequence was far less spectators than earlier years.
The Tour de France was a mix of racing, hill climbing and rally stages, travelling all over France and even Spain.

After the first rally stage, 3 Alpines, 3 Daytonas, 3 Capris and a Porsche formed the top 10. Private entrant Thérier could use Firestone tires which were superior to the Michelins of the factory Alpines. He won Magny-Cours and had often second places. Larrousse in his works Capri took the lead in Nogaro, even with the restricted exhaust system, which was needed since the cars travelled over public roads in between stages. Ferrari and Chevrolet did not seem to make much effort to comply with the rules; when a protest of Alpine-Renault was rejected, and Elford blocked both cars at Nogaro, Alpine had enough and withdrew its works cars.

Larrousse’s lead was not challenged in Barcelona, but when his service crew lost one transporter after the other, the preparation of his car suffered, resulting in a wrong gearing at Albi, but he kept his lead. But at Mont-Dore his differential was not well serviced - he retired. Vic Elford (Daytona) took over, passing Andruet (Daytona) in the process. Other retirements included Chasseuil (hitting a lorry in Spain), while Rouveyran/Migault got a 1-minute penalty for speeding on public road. At Charade, in the pouring rain, Thérier fell back with injection problems while “Gedehem” and Ballot-Lena had to retire, oil loss and gearbox problems respectively.

51 cars headed for Vichy and Magny-Cours. Ford had lost two Capris, only the 1970 BP car of Vinatier remained - but he had troubles in the wet, where Piot was on form.

But at Le Mans, we had three Ferraris in the lead, their only serious competition being Thérier - but he had to give up after first a blown head gasket and a blown engine the next morning.

The fastest Ferrari of Elford made a mistake at Ballon d’Alsace, dropping 7 meters after missing his baking point. Elford and Stone were unharmed, but the Ferrari was a retirement. Andruet was the fourth and final leader, heading for Nice in front of Rouveyran, Vinatier, Piot and Beaumont in the mighty Corvette. Group 1 was won by the Camaro of Ragnotti, a fine drive with a car borrowed from Rouget. Two Alfa Romeos were disqualified because of illegal strengthened suspension.


Final classification
Pos Pos in class # Team / Entrant
Car- Engine
Drivers, Nationality Engine
vol. (cc)
Engine
Type
Group Distance,
time
Qualifying position Qualifying time Fastest lap Reason out,
remarks
1 1 118 Charles Pozzi
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Jean-Claude Andruet, F
Michele Espinos ("Biche"), F
4390 V12 Gr. 4 +2000 3:04.03,2        
2 2 117 Charles Pozzi
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Daniel Rouveyran, F
François Migault, F
4390 V12 Gr. 4 +2000 3:07.41,7        
3 - 64 Ford France
Ford Capri RS 2600
Jean Vinatier, F
Jean Thimonier, F
2940 V6 Gr. 2 3000 3:08.31,6        
4 3 113  
Porsche 911 S
Jean-Francois Piot, F
Michel Vial, F
2492 B6 Gr. 4 +2000 3:12.18,0        
5 4 122 Greder Racing Team
Chevrolet Corvette
Marie-Claude Charmasson ("Beaumont"), F
Christine Giganot, F
7500 V8 Gr. 4 +2000 3:16.06,8        
6 5 90  
Porsche 911 S
Raymond Touroul, F
Pierre Lafont, F
2400 B6 Gr. 3 +2000 3:17.04,2        
7 6 88  
Porsche 911 S
Henri Balas, F
Foucher
2200? B6 Gr. 4 +2000 3:17.24,2        
8 - 68 Greder Racing Team
Opel Commodore GS
Henri Greder, F
Christian Delferier, B
2998 L6 Gr. 2 3000 3:21.06,0        
9 7 93  
Porsche 911 S
Dominique Thiry, F
Robert Wilz
2200? B6 Gr. 4 +2000 3:23.14,3        
10 - 42 Jean-Pierre Rouget
Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Jean Ragnotti, F
Jacques Jaubert, F
7000? V8 Gr. 1 +3000 3:24.22,1        
11 1 79  
Alpine A 110
Dany Snobeck, F
Henzien
1565 L4 Gr. 3 1600 3:24.40,0        
12 8 89  
Porsche 911 S
Vincent Villanueva, F
Joël Bonnemaison, F
2200? B6 Gr. 3 +2000 3:26.48,6        
13 9 82  
Porsche 911 S
Jean Vignaud, F
Schwammte
2200? B6 Gr. 3 +2000 3:27.02,1        
DSQ   19  
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Jean-Claude Lagniez, F
Errera
1962 L4 Gr. 1 2000 3:27.26,9       DSQ: suspension
DSQ   22  
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Bernard Fiorentino, F
Maurice Gélin, F
1962 L4 Gr. 1 2000 3:27.28,9       DSQ: suspension
14 10 87 Almeras Frères
Porsche 911 S
Jacques Alméras, F
Jean-Marie Alméras, F
2200? B6 Gr. 4 +2000 3:27.53,8        
15 11 84  
Porsche 911 S
Pierre Portier, F
de Marcy
2200? B6 Gr. 3 +2000 3:30.45,1        
16 - 60  
Ford Capri RS 2600
Jacques Diebolt
Vast
2940? V6 Gr. 2 3000 3:31.32,8        
17 - 53  
Opel Ascona
Claude Buchet, F
Hervé Guyomard, F
2000? L4 Gr. 2 2000 3:32.44,7        
18 - 67  
BMW 2800 CS
Serge Laurent, B
Milani
2996? L6 Gr. 2 3000 3:33.41,5        
19 - 17 Racing Team Minel
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Louis Michel Minel, F
Chelli
1962 L4 Gr. 1 2000 3:34.19,6        
20 - 11  
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Jean-Claude Sola, F
Sola, F
1962 L4 Gr. 1 2000 3:35.02,4        
21 12 83  
Porsche 911 S
Pierre Lelong, F
Pierre Lelong, F
2200? B6 Gr. 3 +2000 3:35.11,7        
22 2 94  
Alpine A 110
Jean Claude Sellos, F
Gerard Foucault, F
1600? L4 Gr. 4 -1600 3:35.23,0        
23 - 26  
BMW 2002 TI
Jean Sebastien Couloumiès, F
Raymond Pontier, F
1990 L4 Gr. 1 2000 3:38.22,7        
24 - 24  
BMW 2002 TI
Michel Martinache, F
Rémi Gillis, F
1990 L4 Gr. 1 2000 3:38.30,2        
25 - 33  
Citroën SM
Guy Verrier, F
Martin
2670 V6 Gr. 1 3000 3:40.56,5        
26 - 49  
Toyota Celica
Emile Holvoet, B
Claude Holvoet, B
1588 L4 Gr. 2 1600 3:41.45,6        
27 - 34  
Ford Capri
Philippe Heuze, F
Michel Martin, F
? V6 Gr. 1 3000 3:45.54,2        
28 - 27  
BMW 2002 TI
Michel Artero, F
N. Artero, F
1990 L4 Gr. 1 2000 3:47.48,3        
29 - 45  
Daf 55
Claude Laurent, F
Jacques Marché, F
1108? L4 Gr. 2 1300 3:48.14,0        
30 - 70  
Mercedes 280 SE
Karlheinz Hermann, D
Claus Nolle, D
2778 L6 Gr. 2 3000 3:49.24,9        
31 3 73  
Alpine A 110
Marianne Hoepfner, F
Yveline Vanoni, F
1600? L4 Gr. 4 1600 3:51.57,9        
32 - 56  
BMW 2002 TI
Gerard Sevaux, F
"Mendola", F
1990 L4 Gr. 2 2000 3:54.24,5        
33 4 78  
Lancia Fulvia 1.6 HF
Gerald Sanson, F
Arnaud, F
1584 V4 Gr. 3 1600 3:54.41,0        
34 - 61  
Ford Capri RS 2600
Georges Gaffier, F
Vouillamoz
2940? V6 Gr. 2 3000 3:56.53,7        
35 - 10  
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Michel Humbert, B
Daniel Erculisse, B
? Jacques Berger, B
1962 L4 Gr. 1 2000 4:02.11,5        
36 - 28  
BMW 2002 TI
Jacky Ravenel, F
Bougeant
1990 L4 Gr. 1 2000 5:33.20,4        
DNF   103  
Porsche 911 T
Gérard Hugon, F
Delserre
  B6 Gr. 3 +2000          
DNF      
Chevrolet Camaro
Jean Sage, F
Herren
7000? V8 Gr. 1 +3000          
DNF   41  
Chevrolet Camaro
Jean-Claude Monin, F
R. Sylvain, F
7000? V8 Gr. 1 +3000          
DNF   31  
Opel Commodore GS
Jean-Louis Ravenel, F
Levacher
  L6 Gr. 2 3000          
DNF      
Datsun 240Z
Roger Barbara, F
? Bernard Mordacq, F
ca. 2400 L6 Gr. 3 +2000          
DNF   48  
Renault R 12 Gordini
Pierre Tel, F
Angelo Presotto, I
1565 L4 Gr. 2 1600          
DNF   51  
Opel Ascona
Roland Fiat, F
Fiat
2000? L4 Gr. 2 2000          
DNF      
Fiat 124S
Philippe Hesnault, F
Maillard
1438? L4 Gr. 1 1600          
DNF   8  
Audi 100 coupé S
Philippe Mercier, F
de Nicolas, E
1871 L4 Gr. 1 2000          
DNF   81  
Porsche 911 S
Thierry Sabine, F
Bedin
2200 B6 Gr. 3 +2000          
DNF   112  
Porsche 911 E
Dominique Bardini, F
Peuroux
  B6 Gr. 4 +2000          
DNF   86  
Porsche 911 S
Noël Labaune, F
Jean Mourin, F
  B6 Gr. 3 +2000          
DNF   52  
Opel Ascona
Michel Gautron, F
Brisset
2000? L4 Gr. 2 2000          
DNF      
Alpine A 110
Jacques Henry, F
Etienne Grobot, F
1600? L4 Gr. 3 1600          
DNF   12  
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Georges Debussy, F
Lafargue
1962 L4 Gr. 1 2000          
DNF   15  
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Hommel, F
Bert Lips, D
1962 L4 Gr. 1 2000          
DNF     Racing Team Minel
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Darson
Trépier
1962 L4 Gr. 1 2000          
DNF   18  
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Jean-Claude Lefebvre, F
Huret
1962 L4 Gr. 1 2000          
DNF   95  
Alpine A 110
Jacques Marquet, F
Paoletti
1600? L4 Gr. 4 1600          
DNF      
Ford Capri 3000 GT
Michel Billard, F
Godzik
2993 V6 Gr. 1 3000          
DNF   98  
Alpine A 110
Christine Dacremont, F
Lurani, I
1600 L4 Gr. 4 1600          
DNF   57  
BMW 2002 TI
Pierre Loison, F
Demaille
1990 L4 Gr. 2 2000          
DNF   4  
BMW 1600 TI
"Patou", F
"Bybyf"
1573 L4 Gr. 1 1600          
DNF   36  
BMW 2800 CS
Jean-Claude Depince ("Depnic"), F
Jean Claude Sevelinge, F
2996? L6 Gr. 2 3000          
DNF   7  
Audi 100 coupé S
Yves Evrard, F
Demarquet
1871 L4 Gr. 1 2000          
DNF      
BMC 1300
Jacques Hendrickx, B
Bernard Debusschere ("Buche"), B
1293 L4 Gr. 2 1300          
DNF   96  
Alpine A 110
Maurice Nussbaumer, F
? Jean-Francois Piot, F
1600? L4 Gr. 4 1600          
DNF   65 Ford Deutschland
Ford Capri RS 2600
Gérard Larrousse, F
Johnny Rives, F
2940 V6 Gr. 2 3000         Differential
DNF   119 Scuderia Filipinetti
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona
Vic Elford, GB
David Stone, GB
4390 V12 Gr. 4 +2000          
DNF     Alpine-Renault
Alpine A 110
Bernard Darniche, F
1800 L4 Gr. 4 2000         Withdrawn
DNF   100 Alpine-Renault
Alpine A 110
Jean-Pierre Nicolas, F
Jean Todt, F
1800 L4 Gr. 4 2000         Withdrawn
DNF     Ford France
Ford Capri RS 2600
Guy Chasseuil, F
Christian Baron, F
2940 V6 Gr. 2 3000         Accident
DNF   37  
BMW 2800 CS
Pierre Maublanc, F
Daniel Benoit, F
2996 L6 Gr. 2 3000         Accident
DNF   111  
Porsche 911 S
Claude Ballot-Léna, F
Jean-Claude Morenas, F
2492 B6 Gr. 4 +2000         Gearbox
DNF   107  
Porsche 911 S
Gerard Darton Merlin ("Gedehem"), F
Lecou
  B6 Gr. 4 +2000         Oil loss
DNF   97  
Alpine A 110 1600S
Jean-Luc Thérier, F
1800 L4 Gr. 4 2000         Blown engine
DNF      
Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV
Corine Koppenhague, F
Hoube
1962 L4 Gr. 1 2000         Engine
DNF   35  
BMW 2800 CS
Aimé Dirand, F
Sizaire
2996 L6 Gr. 2 3000         Differential