The RAID Suisse-Paris is one of the classics of the international rally scene. For the 26th time, the regularity rally led from Basel to Paris from August 18 to 21, 2016, at least that was the plan until recent events in the French metropolis prompted the organizers to distance themselves from the city centre and define Versailles as the destination.
Fewer participants than usual
In the past, the RAID has attracted around 200 participants, but in 2016 only around 90 vehicle teams registered for the well-known rally. The change of destination was apparently not enough to encourage cautious regulars to come back.
And although organizer Bichsel and his team are constantly making adjustments to their rally, the ever-increasing competition at home and abroad means that they have to fight for every participant.
Through the German countryside
As usual, the rally started in Basel, but instead of heading steadily west, the participating vehicles first drove north towards the baroque palace of Rastatt, which was modeled on Versailles in Germany. They then spent the night in Karlsruhe.
On the second day, we traveled through the southern Palatinate towards France and Reims.
One of the highlights was a visit to the former Grand Prix de France race track, where the old grandstands and pits could still be viewed.
On the third day, the road led through Champagne to Versailles, where there is no shortage of castles.
The daily stages were easy to master even for pre-war vehicles with an average of 200 kilometers and few inclines, and the many buffets and banquets did not leave the stomach short either.
Beautiful cars, mixed weather conditions
Once again, the RAID starting field featured beautiful and interesting vehicles, including a Delahaye 135 M Coach Chapron from 1937, an early Healey X1 from 1946, several Citroën Légère, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing and an Aston Martin DB6 Vantage from 1966.
The start list also included cars such as the Opel Kadett B Rallye from 1971, the VW Golf GTI from 1976 and the Austin-Healey Sprite from 1963.
The weather did not always cooperate, especially from the point of view of the open-top drivers; rain, fog and wet roads at certain times were more reminiscent of fall than summer days.
A little competition is allowed
For some time now, the RAID organizers have also been offering an OpenRAID category, which is only run according to the road book, but without special stages. However, the rally participants obviously like to compete against each other, as the majority of the RAID teams practised their skills on the tube stages and in time optimization.
The young show the old
For once, it wasn't the years of experience or the most expensive vehicle that won. The young Olivier Schneider and Mike Müller in their 1963 Triumph TR4 came out on top. They won the overall classification ahead of two MGs and also the Tourisme classification and, of course, the Young Riders Cup.
Of course, they were unable to secure the Ladie's Cup, which went to Arlette Müller and Sabina Schneider in their 1973 Triumph GT6.
And victory in the pre-war classification, which was contested by eight teams, went to Daniel Landolt and Michael Weber in an Alvis Speed 20 Special from 1934.
