As if proof were needed of the fame of the historic Tour de Corse in France and on the international scene, the organisers took just a few weeks to fill the entry quota in the three eligible categories: VHC (historic racing cars), VHRS (historic cars, sporting regularity) and Legend (on show no timing).
Thus, 380 cars and their crews, a new entry record, will be at the start of the 2022 historic Tour de Corse in Porto Vecchio, which will take place from 2th to 8th October 2022. Among them are drivers and co-drivers from 21 countries.
The field comprises numerous gentlemen drivers and major historic race regulars, but also professionals starting with Alain Oreille and his wife Sylvie who triumphed in 2020 in a Porsche 911. The former double world rally champion in Group N (1989 and 1990), winner of the 1989 WRC Tour de Corse in his works Renault 5 GT Turbo and a regular in this event in both its modern and historic incarnations will be out to add a new victory to his laurels.
SABY, OREILLE, VAISON AND CO.
Bruno Saby, a brilliant participant in the World, European and French Rally Championships, winner of the Dakar in 1993 and the Off-Road World Cup in 2005, will also return to the scene of his former exploits. The winner of the 1986 Tour de Corse WRC will combine the pleasure of historic car racing and his involvement in a cause that’s dear to his heart, the fight against cancer (www.espoir-isere-cancer.com), whose colours will be flown by his Ford Capri identical to the one in which he took part in the 1970 Tour de Corse with his father.
Christophe Vaison, double French Rallycross champion and winner of several ice races as well as being as much at home on asphalt, will be back on Corsican roads. He has already entered for the historic Tour de Corse on several occasions and won in 2014 and 2015 in his Lancia 037: in October he will drive a BMW M3.
In addition, Robert Consani, brilliant participant in the 2015 European Rally Championship in 2015 and runner-up in the France FFSA GT championship in 2017 will also take part. And last but not least, young 23-year-old Tom Pieri deserves a mention. He finished third in the French Junior Rally Championship in 2020 and is currently lying second in the Clio Trophy France. He will be at the wheel of another BMW M3.
Many local drivers will also be at the start starting with the reigning winners, Anthony Agostini and Christophe Casanova. And Marc Valliccioni, Olivier Capanaccia, as well as Jean-Baptiste Botti will all be determined to shine on home turf!
380 KM SPECIAL STAGES
No matter what category they are entered for, all the crews will be determined to reach the end of the new 1000-km route to be covered in five days. It comprises 19 special stages including some used by the WRC: in all 380 km on closed roads and 620 km liaisons on the most beautiful roads the island of beauty has to offer.
The crews will rendezvous in Porto-Vecchio on 2-3 October where scrutineering and admistrative checks will take place and where a warm-up will be organised. The start ceremony and the first three special stages will be held on Tuesday 4th October. The next day competitors will head for the north east of Corsica and the village of Borgo, which will host the rally for the second time. Then the route will bring them to the north west and the third stage town, Calvi, the economic and tourist capital of la Balagne, overlooked by its historic citadel. After that, off to the south of the island on the fourth day to the city of Propriano, another newcomer to this edition of the event. And finally the finish of the rally will take place in Porto-Vecchio, the third-largest commune on the island in terms of size and number of inhabitants. In the past, the town was famous for the production of salt from its marshes. Today, it is better known for its superb beaches on the edge of the Tyrrhenian sea and for hosting the historic Tour de Corse in keeping with a well-established tradition!
As is the case every year, the Tour de Corse Historique will support two associations: Handi Rallye Passion (www.handirallypassion.fr) and Espoir Isère against cancer (www.espoir-isere-cancer.com).
PROGRAMME
Sunday 2 October / Porto-Vecchio
Scrutineering and administrative checks
Monday 3 October / Porto-Vecchio
Scrutineering and administrative checks, warmup
Tuesday 4 October Porto-Vecchio - Porto-Vecchio
Starting ceremony
SS/1-2-3, finish Porto-Vecchio
Wednesday 5 October / Porto-Vecchio - Borgo
SS/4-5-6-7, finish Borgo
Thursday 6 October / Borgo – Calvi
SS/8-9-10-11, finish Calvi
Friday 7 October / Calvi - Propriano
SS/12-13-14-15, finish Propriano
Saturday 8 October / Propriano - Porto-Vecchio
SS/16-17-18-19, finish Porto-Vecchio
ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES: VHC / VHRS / LEGENDE
VHC (Historic racing cars):
- Historic competition vehicles from 1947 to 1985 that have a PTH
- Vehicles from the classic competition group between 1977 and 1981 with a three-section passport.
- Competition vehicles from the J2 period (1986 to 1990) with a PTH
VHRS (Sporting regularity historic vehicles):
- Vehicles from 1947 to 1990, choice of four average speeds (High – Intermediate - Low - Reduced)
LEGEND (exhibition without timing):
- Vehicles from 1947 onwards
Image credit: @ photoclassicracing_2021
