APRIL 16, 2002

The return of the Tour de France

THE Tour de France automobile race used to be one of the classic events of the racing calendar but 15 years ago it disappeared from the scene because of lack of interest. An historic event was organized in the 1990s and it has been so successful that the organizers have had to start refusing entries. Tomorrow 222 cars will set off from the Palais de Chaillot in Paris to cover 1300 miles in the course of five days, ending up next weekend in Biarritz down on the Franco-Spanish border. The cars are all classic sportscar racing machines.

The route will take them to a variety of modern circuits, including Magny-Cours, Charade, Ledenon and Nogaro where special stages will be held. The field this year includes Jacques Laffite in an AC Cobra and Bobby Rahal and Danny Sullivan driving Ford GT40s. Others cars which will be seen include Ferrari GT and GTO models, Porsche Carrera 6 and 10s and Alpines.