04 -2016 Entrants for the French National Hillclimb Championship assembled for the second round at Col St Pierre, near St Jean du Gard. This was the 44th time this event has run, organised by the ASA Alès: it was also the first round of the European Championship.
The 5km climb is situated in the Cevennes: it consists of a series of fast bends, followed by a tighter section: difficult to memorise but spectacular and much appreciated by drivers. This year it had been shortened by some 200 metres as the finish was extremely fast.
St Jean du Gard was the 'base camp' for the two hundred teams entered, many of whom arrived mid-week to be able to conduct practice. The atmosphere was convvial, typically 'Meridional', with spectators being able to get close to the action.
36 'Historics' were entered, including the Marcadiers of Pascal Ferretti and Gilles Coursoux, both favourites to take Class 6/7. Pascal set the pace in practice, in second place behind the Van Diemen single-seater of Jean Marc Debeaune, with Gilles fourth behind Jean Marie Almeras' very powerful Porsche 935, which had to abandon the timed runs the following day.
On the first timed runs on Saturday, Pascal took the honours, being 3 seconds faster than Debeaune. Gilles took a brilliant fourth place. On Sunday, however, rain intervened, and the order changed, with Pascal claiming second and Gilles third place.
The second runs on Sunday were held in dry conditions, with Debeaune's single seater to the fore once again. He reclaimed first position overall, with Pascal and Gilles taking first and second places respectively in Class 6. Marcadiers prominent once again!"
