The Grand Prix d’Amérique better watch out! The real stars last weekend were the black mares perched on the hoods of the 38 Stuttgart escapees that took to the Dijon-Prenois track! With 56 drivers in the saddle, they gathered for the second meeting of the year in the capital of Burgundy.
A perfect weekend! We could have ended the article right here after just 75 words because these two days were simply amazing.
In any case, Dijon is always a special meeting point. Did you know that 40 years ago, an Austrian known as Nikki Lauda won the last Formula 1 Grand Prix held on this track? A memorable date, coming three years after another symbolic victory by Alain Prost, his first career win, which would be followed by a long series of successes that built his legend. This place, as peaceful as it may seem, still holds the echoes of a past we would have loved to witness.
Looking back at previous editions, we were prepared: coats, boots, portable heaters, and Rain-X on hand to handle any kind of weather. We weren’t about to be caught off guard by snow, hail, fog, or any of the other unpleasant surprises from past years. The result? 25 degrees and bright sunshine all weekend ! Luckily, we had some pairs of sunglasses, hidden away in our drawers, to hand out to a few lucky winners in a draw. But there was no time to work on our tans. All the equipment had to be unloaded. And that's quite an adventure when people come from all corners of France and Europe to compete on this rollercoaster of a track. It's also the perfect time to meet the newcomers.
We warmly welcome Jean Claude Chollet, who comes straight from Switzerland with his 944 Turbo. Also joining the ranks are Roger and Jonathan Roudeau with their 928, whom we’ll be seeing again very soon! And last but not least, Jean Pierre Gaillard, also from Switzerland, who joins us with another... 928! The V8s are making their presence known again in the FC, much to the delight of Christophe Feret and his Blackbird.
Saturday morning, things are relaxed in the paddock. It's the perfect time to get the cars ready for the afternoon practice sessions, which are ideal for discovering or rediscovering the track. It’s also the perfect opportunity for our apprentice photographers and videographers to scout the best spots to "shoot" their targets! The flag drops at 6:30 PM after three 30-minute sessions, and following a packed briefing, it’s time to enjoy the traditional Piz'… Oh wait! This time, the two secretive masterminds Fred Ramousse and Stéphane Duvergne bring us to a grand aperitif with charcuterie, cheese, and good wine (to be consumed as responsibly as possible). It nearly turned into an all-nighter if it hadn’t been for the races the next day. A big thank you to them and to everyone present for the joy and the customary good vibes!
Enough with the festivities—Sunday is all about qualifying, Race 1, and Race 2! At 9:00 AM, with clear skies and a warm track, the 30-minute qualifying session kicks off. Our drivers must navigate traffic and find the inspiration to put in the perfect lap in the short time available. Remember, the two best laps determine the starting positions for both races. Defending champion Gillian Garret secures pole position, closely followed by Christophe Feret in his monstrous 928. Sébastien Serra is showing his teeth, taking third place. Fully committed to the season, he’ll be a formidable contender throughout the year. The Decultot / Mathon crew leads the FC2 class, just 0.3 seconds ahead of the Moussion duo, who themselves are only 0.1 seconds behind Michel Carvalheiro. In FC3, Samuel Serres flies in his 911, with the Swiss team Jeanneret / Jacot in their 944 starting in second place, while Bastien Mathieu rounds out the top three in the category.
No time to rest—fuel up, check tire pressures, and it's already time for the first race. A fierce battle unfolds at the front between Garret and Feret, who pull ahead of the pack. Meanwhile, the race behind them is a complete shake-up, with positions constantly changing over the 50-minute race. Nicolas Brunel delivers an impressive performance, claiming third place in his 3.0L RS. Fred Ramousse reminds everyone he’s on home turf and, despite a penalty, snatches first place by a mere three-tenths of a second ahead of Carvalheiro! Our dynamic duo, Benjamin and Maeva, takes third position. In FC3, Samuel Serres remains untouchable, while Bastien Mathieu holds his ground, and JS Speed Shop re-enters the fray, reclaiming third place in the group.
We enjoy a brief moment of rest under the LP Tent structure—a family meal, a quick nap, and then it’s time to gear up for the 4:30 PM race. The flag drops, and we’re off for an exhausting one-hour race. Garret and Feret pull away, taking a leisurely countryside drive far ahead of the pack... But behind them, the battle rages once again. With Nicolas Brunel not starting the race, it’s Cyrille Prevel who capitalizes, securing third place. A dramatic turn of events in FC2 as Ramousse is forced to retire, leaving Michel Carvalheiro to claim his first win of the year after three podium finishes. His consistency now makes him the leader after two rounds. Stephan Ehrhardt, who had been struggling all weekend with a poorly tuned car, comes back strong, finishing just a few tenths behind the leader, ahead of the Moussions. In FC3, it’s the same story—familiar faces and fierce competition.
A weekend filled with both sporting intensity and emotions. So, it’s with a tear in our eye—and not because of a spoonful of overly spicy mustard—that we bid farewell to this temple of French motorsport. Next stop, Circuit du Vigeant, three years since our last visit. The cavalry is on the move!
Complete results are HERE
News written by Nico Ferdier