Deauville, 5 May, 2019

After the final battle on the Le Mans Bugatti circuit and two special stages the 28th Tour Auto Optic 2000 finished in Normandy. Raphaël Favaro and Yves Badan (Lotus Elan) win the Tour Auto Optic 2000 for the second consecutive year. Eric Hamoniau and Edouard Lotthe (Ferrari 250 GT Lusso) are first in Regularity. In Deauville the competitors were eagerly awaited all evening to mark the end of a journey in which they covered 2280 km including almost 105 km on closed roads. This year the rally was only the Tour in name as it executed a loop round France.

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This year the rally was only the Tour in name as it executed a loop round France. The field left Paris and crossed the east of France to the roads in the Rhone-Alpes region after which it went up to the mountains in Auvergne. Then came the Loire valleys followed by the finish in Normandy alternating seaside settings and green grassy fields and hedges. While strong emotions were in evidence as the drivers passed under the finishing arch they will all have precious memories of this adventure. And for some these will be tinged with the special flavour of victory!

Regularity VHC winner
1. 1. Eric Hamoniau and Edouard Lotthe .. Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
2. Alejandro Oxenford and José Luis Celada ... Ferrari 275 GTB
3. Tomas Hinrichsen and Solange Mayo ... Maserati 200 SI

Competition VHC winner
1. 1. Raphaël Favaro and Yves Badan ... Lotus Elan 26R
2. Damien Kohler and Sylvie Laboisne ... Lotus Elan 26R
3. Bertrand and Anne Penlae ... Porsche 911 2,0 l

The spirit of the Tour Auto Optic 2000 again conquered a big crowd as proved by the number of spectators who flocked massively to the Grand Palais and the finish of the five legs. It was also the case on the Dijon-Prenois, Nevers Magny-Cours, Charade and Le Mans circuits as well as the 10 special stages run on closed roads.

The organiser, Peter Auto, would like to say a big thank you to its partners in particular for their unflagging support year after year, which helps to keep the Tour Auto, the oldest race in the world, alive. Also, a big thanks to all the media who help spread the ever-growing renown of the event and help listeners and readers and TV viewers to imagine themselves in the skin of competitors. Join us next year for the 29th event, which will, yet again, take you on a journey of discovery of the most beautiful roads of France!

Images ... Peter Singhof
www.ClassicCarPhotography.de