Patrick Peter’s Classic Endurance Racing series came to a fine season-ending round at the Paul Ricard circuit in France, with two separate races for a packed and exciting field of no less than 80 1966–1979 sports cars. The series, backed by EFG Bank and Motul, has brought a stunning array of cars to not only the French track, but also to Silverstone, Spa and Monza this season, and has provided superb racing, a friendly atmosphere and a memorable spectacle for spectators.
The first CER race for GT cars from 1966-’74 and prototypes from 1966-’72 found John Sheldon’s Chevron B16 on pole from David Ferrer’s Lola T70 with quick Travis drummer Neil Primrose 5th quickest in his Lola T212, faster on the five-kilometer circuit than other T70s and a Matra. After a fierce 25 laps, Ferrer was the overall and Proto 1 winner from Michel Quinou’s Lola T210. Sandy Watson took 3rd in a Chevron B8, the Matra of Dominique Guenat/Yvan Mahe 4th and Sheldon 5th. The GT class went to George Tuma in a Porsche 911 RSR.
Race 2 had a wonderful field with the 1969 Mirage M3 of Jacques Nicolet on pole from the Jean-Marc Luco Ligier JS3, with Paul Knapfield’s stunning Ferrari 712 right behind. Proto 2 cars filled 14 of the top 16 places, but 11 cars finished on the same lap after a tough race with Luco’s Ligier taking the win. Russell Busst’s Chevron B31-Hart finished 2nd while Philippe Scemama’s Sauber C5 took a good 3rd. The Me Mirage retired, though Marc Devis brought his Mirage GR7 home 14th. Stefan Roitmayer’s Porsche 935 won the GT class, with the father and son team of Siggi and Philippe Brunn 4th in GT with a 911 RS.
by Ed McDonough
