Miguel Sánchez
PHOTOS AUTO TOUR 2020: UNAI ONA
In the spirit of cataloging there are always conflicting categories. Two of them usually occur in mobility sports. The one that focuses on the technical issues of the mount and the one that bets on the skills of the driver. This is perfectly seen in the Tour de France. A competition full of mythomania where the names of the cyclists are linked to those of their bicycles. Can we remember Pantani without his Bianchi? Or Indurain without his Pinarello? It is simply not possible.
The same thing happens in the world of motorsports. Especially in endurance races, where many fans are classified more by the team than by the driver. But also in F1. To show this is Ferrari, with its faithful "fans”Whoever pilots pilots. Nevertheless, At the beginning of September, one of the events where we best see the choice between car or driver was held: the Auto Tour 2020.
Looking at the results table, one does not recognize any of the pilots or co-pilots. Here you do not come to contemplate impossible maneuvers or balance behind the wheel on the path of a Fangio or a Senna. Not at all. Far from it, in the Auto Tour 2020 cars shine exclusively. A careful selection divided into seven categories dominated by vehicles of high historical value and excellent conservation. A true rolling museum in which we enter thanks to the photographs of Unai Ona.
SEVEN CATEGORIES FOR A WEEK ROLLING IN FRANCE
Nobody is aware that decades ago, a car race always ended with hefty income for bodyworkers and mechanics. It was going to the limit, with security measures as a trompe l'oeil. So things, Going out to film in the 50s had a greater chance of ending up in the workshop or funeral home than commenting on the day in a civilized restaurant. In the Auto Tour things are different. Everything is an exhibition where the trompe l'oeil is not safety, but a gentle competition.
Competition organized in seven categories, three of them regular. In competition HCV they dominated the Jaguar E-Type. Sharp classics with 3,8-liter engines that rivaled those of Group G in showiness, where even a Ford GT40 MK II.
In the HI group, the nervous 911-liter Porsche 3 Carrera stood out, although the winner was one of the most curious Ferraris of all time: the 308GR IV Michelotto. Representative of the only attempt of the rampant horse to enter rallies.
Those with a taste prone to decades further ago enjoyed the Performance category. Here he took the palm a Porsche 356 Pre A 1500, followed by a Ferrari 225S Vignale Berlinetta.
Two essential vehicles to understand the first steps of these brands. Steps that this time marked almost 2.000 kilometers from the Grand Palais in Paris to the Paul Ricart Circuit where this 2020 Auto Tour ended after a week of filming.
THREE CATEGORIES OF REGULARITY: POPULAR
The truth is that the display in the aforementioned categories is so overwhelming that it makes the participants pale in the three of regularity. Here we find very interesting classics, but much more common than in competition ones. Yes, all with him excellent state of conservation Guaranteed for those registered in the Auto Tour. In Regularité VHC a Ford Mustang 289 won and in Group G a Lancia Fulvia 1300 HF. Sister of the 1600 HF who took first place in Regularité HI.
However, looking among the top positions we find a car a little rarer. And also a faithful representative of French sportsmanship. A Matra djet who has finished second in category G.
The first series sports car (even if it was short) with a central engine. A curious experiment in lightness and weight distribution that still continues to amaze with its innovation even in a sports car far removed from the great GTs of its time. And so we could be talking for hours and hours, because Tour Auto 2020 has been a great display of automotive history.
