TimeOut

Dix Mille Tours du Castellet

Launched forty years ago to host the F1 Grand Prix de France, the Castellet circuit has undergone heavy work in the early 2000's to become an ultra-modern layout, symbolised by its unique blue and red striped run offs.

The racetrack was first only dedicated to F1 and other private tests but now, the Paul Ricard, new HTTT (High Tech Track Test) version, has opened its doors again to the public in 2009.

The first Dix Mille Tours on the Castellet circuit in October 2010, marked the birth of a great appointment under the sign of motor sport passion. A first success with a grid gathering over 220 cars, making the Dix Mille Tours from the outset one of the greatest European classic car meetings. The Dix Mille Tours of Navarra in Spain is now scheduled to open the 2011 season.

On the menu of the second Dix Mille Tours du Paul Ricard were the same grids –with the exception of the F3 Classic – as those that made the success of the first edition: Classic Endurance Racing (split into two grids for the occasion), the Trofeo Nastro Rosso, the Sixties' Endurance and the Group C Racing. They have been joined by the Challenge ASAVE cars. The event has again offered a privileged welcome to the clubs. Even more cars have participated for the pleasure of the public and the owners who have been able to drive on this legendary track. A three day show with some of the most beautiful racing cars from the '50s to the early '90s.

Here are some pictures of the races I have been lucky enough to attend.

The grid Classic Endurance Racing offers some fifty Prototypes and GTs, which have raced in the greatest Endurance races between 1966 and 1979.

Heres a 1970 Chevron B16 being prepared for the race:

A 1970 Ferrar 512M in action :

The famous 1969 Lola T70 owned and driven by Richard Mille :

The mecanics are taking care of this legendary 1967 Porsche 910 :

Here’s another Lola, in the paddock:

And my favorite car of this grid, a GR7 Gulf Mirage with its 3l V8 engine and some serious tires:

The Sixties Endurance grid featured some pre-66 GTs & pre-63 Sportscars gathered by Peter Auto in partnership with Carol Spagg, a major actor in this category.

Here’s a 1965 Porsche 911 at the pit stop; I love its color and deco:

A 1964 AC Cobra is following close

Some legendary British cars : 1962 Jaguar E-Type, 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT and 1958 Lotus XI…

The Trofeo Nastro Rosso was open to beautiful Italian Sports and GT cars built before the end of 1965. An occasion for Ferrari Challenge competitors to race in a quality classic meeting. I could not attend the race, but my jaw dropped in the paddocks…
Have a look at this 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso !

Of course, that was the opportunity for me and a couple of watch friends to take some watch related pictures !