The 17th edition of ACO collector track days took place under a bright sun and in summer temperatures. More than 50 collector members happily accepted the opportunity to take part in a day at the circuit dedicated to "Classic" vehicles. And what a turnout!

Among the three fields grouping together cars from all over western France, a wide variety of marques and models were represented. Here are a few outstanding examples of cars that hit the track with or without a passenger:

Field 1: British cars like the Morgan Plus 4, MG GT and MG B GT, an Austin Healey MK1 and a Jaguar MKII, alongside a Renault Alpine, a BMW 2002 TI, a few Alfa Roméo Sprint GT 1600s and GTV 2000s, a Porsche 911, some Ford GT 40s (replicas), a Ford Escort and a Lotus Esprit Turbo S4S.

Field 2: Renault Alpines, a Renault R5 GT Turbo, an Alpine A110 and a trio of Golfs including a legendary Golf GTI (a treat enjoyed by driving instructors riding as passengers), a surprising BBM berlinette, a Triumph GT6 MK1 and a splendid Opel GT6.

Field 3: A delegation representing the German marque of five Porsche 911s, a Porsche 924 Cup, a Porsche Targa and a 944 were joined by an Alfa GTV6, a Ford GT 40, a Citroën BX,  a Chevrolet Corvette and a Chevrolet C3 coupe.

After a driver briefing and a reception of cafés and croissants for their companions, the participants enjoyed four running sessions and a bonus in exceptional conditions.

Each group was also given a personalized tour of the Musée des 24 Heures and a collectors' luncheon. The BMW safety cars were on display in the paddock just near a BMW I8 and I3 that the participants could hit the track with during the day. Another attraction in the paddock: three examples of "Classic" car restoration carried out by local craftsman Antoine Roux.

On the track, despite some leaks and rare oil pressure drops among other small reliability problems, all the participants left thrilled with the day they had just experienced, as much for the track time as for the new friends made around raised bonnets to show off and share mechanical treasures. Every car on the scene carried with it a history that certainly deserved appreciation.

The 18th edition of collector track days will take place Monday, November 13th and will gather collection cars more than 30 years old as well as exceptionally rare autos. Register by calling 02.43.40.50.60 or via e-mail at clubaco@lemans.org

 

PHOTO (Le Mans, 24 Hours circuit, Monday, October 16, 2017): Like Cyril, come to run this rare MG B GT with aluminum V8 Rover engine, collector ACO members were able to take advantage of, if they so wished, guidance from driving instructors from the Le Mans Driver school. Julien Poncelet (at left), one of the four instructors present, took the passenger seat in the Morgan B GT. Cyril was immediately able to benefit the various driving tricks he learned.