The red Z strike again...

[Caen Fred]

What a race !

I arrived on a rainy Sunday morning on top of the hills just above Clermont-Ferrand. The city was there, somewhere under the clouds, I could almost ear the noise of the Michelin headquarter and factory.

But I was there for something else, of greater importance. One of my friend and fellow club member was racing his genuine ex-Nissan work car in the 6 hours of Charrade. The race belong to the French historical vehicle competition championship, and my friend attend all the races he can. Close competition to the little red devil, from Porsches (lots) to Lolas and Ford GT40. Like usual, the big engines went on to run their race ahead of the pack, but at the end the gap between the leader and the Z was of only 12 minutes… after 6 hours.

We had everything from light rain to pace car… and the team made the most of the refuelling and pilots swapping, saving and gaining precious time, like the pro!

It was a real joy to look at this car, unknown here, racing monsters and, managing for the third time this year, to win their class and finishing 6th overall, and first on GTS. Hat down “les Miroux” it was the best racing I had in years!

http://www.vdev.fr/vhc_charade_6h.htm

[Doehring]

Fred, did you shoot pictures? Please add, if possible.

Vive la Tour de FranZ

Rolf

[Caen Fred]

Ouch! that hurts !!!!

My camera decided to start it's own strike, to keep up with the spirit of the country!!!!!!! So, no picts, but if you search in the link above, you will find a lot of pict...

Take care, Fred

[Doehring]

Fred,

sorry for that! Is your camera a french one? If not, you see others also strike sometimes. By the way, I can't find a pic of the Z at Charade's gallery, that's a pity.

Rolf

[Caen Fred]

nahhhhh, it's a Nikon. They have not been bought by Renault yet ...

Browse the photo gallery, use the small arrow on top of the page, there is 3 pages I think

[owenk]

Check out photo # 56+33 and 56-2 for a cool zed photos

[hmsports]

Looks like a super fun track!

[Doehring]

Thanks,

missed the arrow on top 'cause I scrolled down.

I love that Z in front of a Porsche 917.

Rolf

[Doehring]

Sorry, it's not a Porsche 917 but a Chevron in John Wyer colours behind that nice Z!

[Victor Laury]

Beautiful cars! Did they take it easy, or did they really race? I hear a common complaint that in Vintage racing, no one wants to push, afraid to damage the rare coachwork.

[2ManyZs]

Looks like it was a good day to have some fun. Great looking car too, although I did see one that I kinda liked better than the Z.... but then, I have raced a Z (sort of)....

Not very often do you see a Ferrari 365 Daytona still being used on the track, one of my all time favorite cars.

[Caen Fred]

Well, at first everyboday say it's only for fun, that kind of bull, and after about... 5 nor 3 second they all smasch the pedal to the metal... Those are mad men...