We had almost given up hope! Since the start of the year, the sun had stubbornly hidden behind a thick blanket of clouds. But it took no less than 29 determined drivers to finally break through the gloom. Twenty-nine Gentlemen Drivers, coming from all over France (and even farther afield) to kick off this ninth season. Because the Ferdinand Cup knows no borders: the passion for the Stuttgart marque is truly universal.
For the second year in a row, it was on the Castellet circuit that engines finally roared back to life,after a long, far too long winter break that served only to fuel anticipation.
It’s a passion we feel not just for the auditory thrill of those metallic notes, hundreds of crackling cylinders singing in harmony. It’s a deeper pull—one that comes above all from a sense of belonging to an unofficial family, so close-knit it could convince even the most doubtful that this is, without question, the finest passion there is. The simple, almost childlike smile of the first arrivals, tumbling eagerly out of their transports, is all the motivation we need to organize at least the next ten seasons! And that’s no small feat.
It’s time for the regulars to fall back into their trusted routines, carefully setting up the paddock and support structures. The perfect moment, too, to start building bonds with the newcomers we’re thrilled to welcome. No fewer than six rookies are taking to the track for the very first time this year. We wish them a long and exciting journey, one shaped by camaraderie and good spirit.
Among these fresh faces is Marc Gillet, competing behind the wheel of a Porsche 993 prepared by none other than the renowned Christophe Terriou. Bernard Kleiber also joins the grid in a Porsche 993. The GBF team makes a strong entrance with no fewer than four drivers, including a 964 Cup driven by Philippe Smaniotto, whom we’re also pleased to welcome. And finally, two drivers flying the CAS Racing colors in 944 Turbos: Frank Issartel and Alain Abadie, the latter joined by his nephew Tanguy, sharing this incredible adventure as a family.
Introductions done, it’s time to indulge our curiosity and see what our competitors have been cooking up over the winter break. With nearly six months to work their magic, our talented preparers—true automotive wizards—have had ample time to refine their machines. We’re especially delighted to see our friend Fred Ramousse back on track after his misadventure at Spa. His fearsome 2.8L RSR—arguably the most formidable in France—is once again ready to take on the field. The same goes for Christophe Feret, who has brought the engine of his road-going SR-71 back to life! Over at JH Racing Team, the modest 3.2L has undergone a full metamorphosis into a monstrous RSR—we can’t wait to see it in action this season. The 964 RS from Racing Legend Car has also had a complete makeover and was proudly displayed at Rétromobile this winter, alongside our partner Igol France. There’s a notable change as well for our friend Didier Clesse, who’s given his FC2 a voice of its own by fitting a custom exhaust system. And what can we say about Team JS Speed Shop, who continue their relentless pursuit of weight savings on their 924? At this rate, they might soon need a rudder instead of a steering wheel!
Plenty of great surprises already, and no doubt many more to come as we make our way through the six races of the season!
But enough curiosity. For now, it’s time for our drivers, many of whom have come from afar, to rest and recharge ahead of Saturday’s free practice. At exactly 10:25, the long-awaited shakedown session gets underway. It doesn’t take long for a clear trend to emerge: the 964 RSRs are setting the pace. As usual, Christophe Feret lies in wait in his “hunter,” ready to strike. With qualifying scheduled for 5:50 p.m., competitors have a few crucial hours ahead of them, the perfect window to fine-tune final setups. The mission is clear: be as ready as humanly possible to fight for the clock.
And with fierce determination, the competitors launch into 30 minutes of qualifying. Gillian Garret, eager to shine on home turf, takes the lead with an impressive lap time of 2:27.338. Sébastien Mathieu claims second place, also dipping below the 2:30 mark in an RSR that, this time, is red—not green! A pleasant surprise comes from Team CAS Racing, which positions its 944 Turbo on the second row of the FC1 starting grid.
In the FC2 category, the Moussion duo makes a strong return to the spotlight by securing fifth overall. Close behind, the Terriou / Clesse pairing delivers a remarkable performance, just six tenths off the pace, earning them a spot right behind. Frédéric Ramousse will start third in his car.
In FC3, the battle is set between Ben Gayer and the JS Speed Shop team, who will start in that very order.
The day draws to a close, but not without one last moment to share together. As everyone gathers for a friendly evening aperitif, we take the opportunity to celebrate a symbolic milestone, the 18th birthday of Pascal Didier’s son. Turning 18 is a defining moment in life, and celebrating it within the Ferdinand Cup family adds a heartfelt touch for us all.
Because the Ferdinand Cup is not just a race for Gentleman Drivers. It is a gathering of friends, united by the same joys and brought together by a shared passion that goes far beyond mere competition.
Sunday, 9:40 a.m. The drivers are lined up on the starting grid. Tension is in the air, the cars are finely tuned, and all eyes are locked on the first corner. The race begins, one full hour of competition ahead. In FC1, Gillian Garret confirms his dominance with a commanding victory, ahead of an aggressive Sébastien Mathieu and Sébastien Serra, who rounds off this season’s first podium with style. In FC2, the Clesse and Terriou duo scores a superb win, finishing ahead of the ever-consistent Benjamin and Maéva Moussion. Michel Carvalheiro claims an impressive third place after a flawless drive. In FC3, Ben Gayer sets the pace, closely followed by the JS Speed Shop team, once again proving that lightness and consistency are a winning combination.
But beyond pure performance, it was the spirit of the Ferdinand Cup that truly stood out between the two races. The CAS Autosport team did not hesitate to lend a turbo to Jean Michaud, allowing him to take part in the second race. A generous act of solidarity that reminds us the FC is, above all, a story of mutual support and shared passion.
At 5:55 p.m., the second race begins under a radiant sky, offering spectators a true festival of driving. In FC1, Gillian Garret strikes again, securing a dominant double win and setting a relentless pace. Behind him, Sébastien Serra steps up to claim a strong second place, followed by Fabien Labrousse, who delivers an impressive charge through the field. Revenge is sweet in FC2, as the Moussion duo takes the top step of the podium this time, ahead of Clesse and Terriou, while Frédéric Ramousse rounds out a podium made up of longtime friends. In FC3, the story at the front remains unchanged. Ben Gayer scores his second victory of the weekend, followed once more by the ever-consistent JS Speed Shop.
But one of the true highlights of this second race was undoubtedly the incredible three-way battle between Sébastien Serra, Benjamin Moussion, and Frédéric Ramousse. A high-level showdown that kept both trackside spectators and live viewers on the edge of their seats. Skill, aggression, and respect—everything that makes the Ferdinand Cup so special.
And it is with that legendary battle that the weekend comes to a close. While the time change may not have thrown off our drivers behind the wheel, it is nonetheless time for everyone to head home for some well-deserved rest.
Complete results are HERE
News written by Nico Ferdier