JMB Classic at the Dix Mille Tours 2020:
Back on track!

JMB Classic’s season has got under way again in one of the greatest events on the calendar: the Dix Mille Tours on the Paul Ricard circuit. JMB Classic brought four rare cars to this event, which kick-started the Peter Auto season.  

Ferrari 430 GTC chassis #2626

This ex-AF Corse, JMB Racing Ferrari GT2 was driven by Jean Alesi, Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander in the 2010 ELMS. 

Last weekend, #2626 returned to the track at the Dix Mille Tours. Its driver, Charlie Remnant, who cut his teeth in a Lightweight E-Type Jaguar and a Porsche 911 3.0 RSR, was racing a car shod with slicks for the first time. Coached by Jean-Pierre Malcher, the aim he set himself in the race was to improve his fastest lap in the first free practice session by 10 seconds. He achieved this in the first heat, which he started in 16th place in the GT2 category. He crossed the finishing line in 10th spot with his fastest lap stopping the clock in an excellent 2m08.822s. He would certainly have improved this result in the second race had he not lost grip after going off line and picking up rubber debris in what was a pretty hectic start.

Viper GTS-R chassis #C26

This Viper was driven in the FIA GT Championship by Jean-Pierre Jarier and François Lafon in the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons. It took to the track again this weekend for the first time in historic racing, in the hands of Mr. John of B and Soheil Ayari. Mr. John of B, who was also racing a Ford GT40 and a Ferrari 512 BBLM at Paul Ricard, was having his first taste of a Viper GTS-R. He qualified the car in 7th position in GT1 and finished in a promising 6th spot. Ayari, who drove the car in the second heat, found himself back in a familiar cockpit, which he had vacated 21 years earlier! It was in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1997 and 1999 when he was one of the Oreca team’s Viper GTS-R drivers. He too set off in 7th place and took the chequered flag in third after a great scrap with Éric Hélary in another Viper GTS-R whom he passed.

Works Panoz GTR-1, chassis #07

This exceptional car was driven in the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans by David Brabham, Jamie Davies and Andy Wallace. This weekend it was in the hands of Olivier Galant. He qualified it in 4th place in GT1 and after fluffing his start he fought his way back up to second in the first heat. He did not make the same mistake in race 2 and after going into the first corner in fourth place he methodically picked off his rivals one by one to emerge victorious in GT1!

Ex-David Price Racing Panoz GTR-1, chassis #03

David Price Racing entrusted this client-competition Panoz to Butch Leitzinger, Andy Wallace and James Weaver in the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans. Xavier Galant was behind the wheel this weekend. He qualified fifth in GT1 and saw the flag in fourth place in race 1 where he also finished in heat 2 after fighting off the attacks of Dominik Roschmann in a Prodrive Ferrari 550 GT1.

The next act of 2020 will take place at Monza from September 18 to 20.

Rémy Bouresche