This group photo shows the vast range and quality of the cars entered in the 2018 edition of the Tour Auto Optic 2000The Tour Auto Optic 2000 is one of the most prestigious historic racing events in the world. As early as 1899, l’Automobile Club de France organised its first edition, as a mix of road stages and circuit clocked runs, with regularity sections between the stages. Gaining a certain degree of popularity with time, the ‘old’ edition of the Tour reached its high point in the early ‘70s when a number of the then Formula 1 drivers took the start of the race in parallel with their regular GP and Endurance duties.
Patrick Peter, the organiser of some important classic and concurs elegance events (Spa Classic, Le Mans Classic etc) laid the foundation of the current version of the Tour Auto in 1992. Its main principles are still in operation today: the starting point is always Paris (with the end in various locations in France); it is a five-day event; there is one circuit driving event each day; some special stages during the day and a regularity course for every car entered.
It is worth noting that the Tour Auto is the only remaining event in the world today where racing cars (and some of them are very powerful) are eligible to be driven on roads and race tracks in race conditions. It is impossible to organise prestigious international events such as the Targa Florio, Mille Miglia or Carrera Panamericana today to run in the same original format as they did back in the day.
Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0 #275: The livery of this original Carrera RSR La Défense Mondiale, is a famous French sponsor from the ’70s. This car was piloted by two well-known American drivers, Gunnar Jeannette and Cooper MacNeil. This car was entered in the Competition Class, and was the winner of the Group H1/H2/I class
Porsche 911 2.2 S #231: The American driver John Logan is the only driver that has participated at all the editions of the Tour Auto, from 1992 until 2018. This car was entered in the Competition ClassThe organisers give priority to entries from competition cars that entered the Tour Auto between 1951 and 1973. The race entries are divided into four categories: Overall classification, Competition G (1966 to 1971), Competition H/I (1972 to 1981) and Index of Performance.
1958 Porsche 356 A 1600 Speedster T2 #71: This was the only convertible 356 Porsche car entered this year and it was entered in the Regularity Class by Régis and Hélène Mathieu
1971 Porsche 914/6 #94: This is one of the two 914 Porsches taking part in the 2018 edition of the Tour Auto Optic 2000 and was driven by Jacques Alvergnas and Jean-Louis Dubrule in the Regularity ClassThis year, 239 well-prepared cars were presented at the Grand Palais in Paris on Monday April 23. The first day of competition was the Paris – Besancon leg (with circuit driving at Dijon Prenois race track) and one special stage for the competition class entries. The second stage was on Wednesday April 25 between Besancon and Megeve (driving at Circuit de Bresse) plus two timed special stages. On Thursday April 26, the competitors drove from Megeve to Avignon (circuit driving at Ledenon race track) plus two other special stages. The fourth stage was from Avignon to Aix en Provence (with Paul Ricard hosting the track day) and a further two other special stages were included. The Tour Auto Optic 2000 2018 arrived at Nice Place Massena after three special stages and a regularity course from Aix en Provence to Nice.
1970 Porsche 914/6 #118: Lee Malone and Glenn Moule entered this car in the Regularity Class
1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0 #268: The Swiss pairing of Dominique and Maxime Guenat drove this car in the Competition ClassWith such a rich motor sport heritage, Porsche was well represented at this 2018 edition with a total of 37 cars entered (14 in the regularity class and 23 in the competition class) with a wide diversity of models:
| Porsche model | Number entered |
| Porsche 911 | 23 |
| Porsche 356 | 11 |
| Porsche 914 | 2 |
| Porsche 904 (Prototype) | 1 |
Porsche 904 Carrera GTS #210: The French couple from Normandy, Jean-Marc and Patricia Bussolini, are true passionate Historic car enthusiasts, entering the 2018 Tour Auto this superb GTP Porsche 904 in the Competition Class. They also compete with a 924 Carrera GT in Historic Rallyes during the yearMost historic race cars are today arguably in better condition than when they raced in anger back in the day, and this is thanks to the quality of restoration materials and processes. Added to this is the fact that the values of these period race cars has risen to such an extent that it makes sense to keep them in tip top shape. But, there is no doubt about it, seeing these thoroughbred machines either on the road or on track, is as much of a special privilege today as it was back in period.
Written by: Lucian Sonea
Images by: Lucian Sonea
Nice. I was unfamiliar with this event. Very interesting.
Thanks Martin, Lucian will be chuffed to see that. I would love to tag along one year…:)
Very nice article about this Paris’s historical event and good photos.
Thank you Michel, I shall pass on your comment to the author!
Congratulations, a very nice and interesting article with very nice photos.
I had no idea about this event or the most of the cars presented.
Well done and keep going…
Thats one to add to your list for next year!!