Tour Auto - Paris-Nice - France

In the field of historic events, the Tour Auto retrospective occupies a choice place. Organised by Peter Auto and using the ingredients that built the success of the original event, it brings together for one week 225 cars from 1951 to 1973, of the type of those that took part at the time in the Tour de France Automobile, and takes them through the country along the most picturesque routes, spangling the days with circuit events or specials on tracks that couldn't be any more winding. For the spectators grouped in the stage towns or scattered by the road sides, it's a unique opportunity to see the world's finest GTs pass by, symbolised by those which have become the emblematic ones, Ferrari 250 GTOs, which moreover won the event in 1962 and 1963. There were two of them at the start in Paris. 

The participants also boasted a few celebrities, such as TV host  Gérard Holz at the wheel of a coupé Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint, or Cyril Despres, quadruple winner of the Dakar on a motorcycle, on board a Chevrolet Corvette which did superbly well by finishing 3rd in its category.

This year, from 16 to 21 April, the cars gathered initially under the magnificent glazed cupolas of the Grand Palais and stayed together all the way to Nice: it's the first time for 12 years that the rally returned to this historic arrival town. 

Motul, whose success is also based on its history, is obviously similarly minded to the organiser of the Tour Auto and, for the 9th consecutive time, was a partner of the event, with an even greater involvement than in previous years. To get its clients and partners to truly experience the event, Motul enjoyed having a reception area at each stage town. The 2012 originality was the presence of a 1954  Citroën Type H lorry. Decorated with Motul's colours, the lorry delighted the members of the public by getting them to participate in a quiz hosted by Motul hostesses. In all, more than 7,000 people tried their luck!

But, aside from these operations, Motul also provided its support to the teams participating. Among them, four enjoyed very special attention: Ludovic Caron, winner of the 2011 edition at the wheel of his very fast AC Cobra 1963, and whose team-mate was Didier David. The times he obtained on circuits and in specials showed that he he had in no way lost his touch at the wheel, despite technical glitches which prevented him from podiuming. Motul also supported Jean-Pierre Lajournade, 2010 winner and who shared with Christophe Bouchet the cockpit of a Lotus Elan, of a lower cubic capacity than the AC but whose nimbleness did wonders.

After suffering a random electrical breakdown in the first days, he rediscovered all the vivacity of his car on the Charade circuit, managing to stay on a level with the AC Cobras infinitely more powerful but also heavier and less nimble. 'After a race where I got extreme pleasure, said Jean-Pierre, even if in the heat of the action I broke the gear shift, I finished 3rd.'

Motul also provided its support to the Alpine A110 Gr. 4 berlinetta painted red and white, the colours of La Défense Mondial - Motul, driven by Jean Ragnotti with Francis Mercier as navigator. 'Jeannot', always happy to put on a show, could check his repute among the public admiring his generous style. For a driver of this calibre, who has participated in so many races in all categories, could lassitude be feared? 'I like this event and still find the same pleasure in taking part. What I find really tremendous is that it has kept its exciting sports nature, while today being based on other values combining conviviality and gentlemanness.' How could the race spirit be better summarised? The team finished 2nd of the G/H/I category, just behind another big motorsports name, Alain Serpaggi.