05-2015 Seyssel Hillclimb.

There were no less than 51 entrants for this year's Seyssel hillclimb, which is exclusively for historics in either the VHC ( competitive) or VHRS ( regularity) of the French National Championships.

Well organised by the ASA Mont des Princes, presided over by Jean-Claude Peugeot, the climb is located in the heart of the spectacular Haute Savoie region between, to the west, the Rhone and, to the east, the Mont des Princes. There are superb views over the Rhone, and of the vine-covered slopes which produce the renowned Rousette, Mollette and Royal-Seyssel wines.

Its length is 4.4 kms, beginning with some sharp bends but then, after the half-way mark, opening up into a very fast section, taken even in top gear, between rocks and trees. Two artificial chicanes are required here, to reduce speed.

Three Marcadiers were entered: Michel Champelovier's F2 single seater, Vincent Lagache's AMK barquette and Gilles Coursoux's Simca-engined barquette. (Gilles was on the podium here in 2011, in second place overall).

Vincent won the Groupe 6 ( Prototype) class with a new class record, followed by Gilles, whose final run was sadly impeded by an engine problem. They finished 4th and 5th respectively in the overall classification. In Class 7/8 ( single seaters) Michel, who is never entirely at ease at this venue, took third place, behind Eric Bady's very quick Martini and the Van Diemen of Jean Marc Debeaune. They headed the event overall classification.

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