07-2015 The 46th Dunieres hillclimb take place on 17 th 18 th and 19 th July. Dunieres is located in the heart of the Auvergne: it is one of the shortest of the French Championship courses, although this year it was extended by 180 metres. The event is organised by the ASA Ondaine under its president Auguste Mourier.
Spectator safety and facilities for the competitors were given a high priority. A real benefit was the work done on the paddock, where everybody had a tarmac space. For the last four years the event has supported charities: this year it was the turn of handicapped youngsters, who were given the opportunity of trips in rally cars. Such events would be impossible without the support of individuals and commercial enterprises: this event carried sponsorship from Nergeco, a manufacturer of automatic doors based in Dunieres.
There were 30 entries in the Historic event. Two climbs took place on Saturday before the event was interrupted by storms.
There were only two Marcadiers: absent were local driver Gilles Coursoux and also Vincent Lagache who has made a remarkable return this year to competition. In a smaller-than-usual entry, Michel Champelovier was fastest in practice, followed closely by Pascal Ferretti in his Lancia-engined barquette.
In the race, held in much better weather than the previous day, our Marcadier colleagues repeated their performances, a full three seconds quicker. Each won his respective class. After 52 uninterrupted years of competition, this was Michel's first year competing in the French Historic Championship, and his first victory in it.
