Hot October in Corsica: Just after Jari-Matti Latvala won the Tour de Corse as part of the FIA World Rally Championship on October 4, 2015, the historic racing cars of the Tour de Corse Historique took over the tough and winding special stages on the Mediterranean island the following day. The 15th edition of the island rally kicked off on October 5, 2015 with a record participation of almost 300 teams.
Unforgettable route
As every year, the organizers spared no effort to offer the participants an unforgettable rally of superlatives. The total route of around 1,100 km, including the 17 special stages on closed roads with a total length of 370 km, was renewed to 75%.
One of the highlights was definitely the 50 km (!) long special stage Novella - Palasca, which was followed a few kilometers later by one of the great classic rally stages Notre-Dame de la Serra. But it wasn't just the organizers who ensured a varied and challenging rally, the weather also kept the drivers and assistance teams on their toes.
After starting in the summer heat in the morning, the weather changed abruptly in the afternoon and the rally had to contend with waterfall-like downpours.
Many retirements
The fact that the Tour de Corse Historique is a demanding rally for man and material and that it takes its toll became clear at the finish at the latest. Of the 170 teams in the competition class (VHC) and 106 teams in the regularity category (VHRS) that crossed the start ramp in Porto-Vecchio, "only" 95 vehicles in the racing class and 84 in the regularity category reached the finish line.
Lancia as the winner
The French team Christophe Vaison/Pascal Duffour in the Group B Lancia Rally 037 completed the course fastest with a lead of 1'09" over second-placed Alain and Sylvie Oreille in an Opel Ascona 400 Group B.
The 2009 Swiss Rally Champion Florian Gonon and co-driver Michel Horgnyes took an excellent third place in a Ford Escort RS MKI built by GTO Evolution, going head-to-head with the Monegasque team Jenot/Slo, who also competed in a Ford Escort prepared by GTO Evolution.
Ford Anglia as the most consistent
Three Italian teams finished on the podium in the regularity category. First place for Alessandro Olivieri/Cesare Rainoso in a '61 Ford Anglia, second place for Eugenio Rossi/Marco Tarenzi in a 1966 Lancia Flavia Coupé and third place for the Zanchi/Agnese team in a Lancia Fulvia 1.6HF.
Classification and further information on the rally can be found on the rally website. The next edition of the Tour de Corse Historique will take place from October 4 to 9, 2016.
