Maroc Classic - 15-22 March 08

2008: A VINTAGE YEAR

Posted: April 1, 2008 8:37 AM

Once again, Morocco was extraordinarily kind to competitors on the "Classic", skillfully run as usual by the Rageys family and their team. Leaving behind the miserable and fickle European spring, lovers of old classics have for 15 years enjoyed a peerless welcome and the chance - for one week - to enjoy driving in the old-fashioned way. The 2008 event was no exception.

51 cars started the "Classic" and a further 18 the "Prestige" event. They followed the strident V12 Matra 650 of Pierre Rageys, which opened the road from the start in Rabat to the end of the first leg in Tangiers. The main question: would Lazar/Agostini, winners of the two previous rallies, succeed for a third time?

At the end of the first leg, the Ferrari 308 crew held second overall and looked on course to establish a new record. But the favourites proved less reliable than usual, and they had to be content with sixth place at the finish in Marrakech. Ahead of them was a tremendous battle, with five crews fighting a battle measured in tenths of a second; after five changes of lead, the result remained undecided until the final timed section.

The second leg ended in Fez, with a triumphant British contingent (which truly came into its own this year) led by the family Wignall: Jayne's Sunbeam Tiger headed the overall standings, in front of Paul's Porsche 911S.

The following day, Jurgen and Yvonne End took command on the road to Erfoud. Ever the bridesmaids (they had finished second three times on the Classic!), would they finally break their curse and win? It was beginning to look like it by the next evening, at the bivouac in M'Hamid, where they retained the lead, despite passing through the tail of a sandstorm without damage.

However, it was at M'Hamid that a tremendous drive by Yves and Elka Gouzer began to pay dividends, as they hauled their Austin Healey from 47th overall into third place! Here, too, rivals began to notice the Porsche 911 of Alexander and Mathias Ismail, who were in the top ten after a poor start.

The next day, on the road to Ouarzazate, there was more family business: Frederic Thouvenin/ Philippe Merle pushed their Jaguar XK150S in front of the Alfa Giulietta driven by the beautiful Carine and Pauline Merle, while Jean-Pierre (head of the family) and his son Alexander held 11th in their Type E V12.

The next day, all change! By the time they reached Marrakech, the Merle family had shuffled itself: Carine and Pauline were now ahead of Jean-Pierre and Alexandre. Sadly, this little clan found the right pace a little too late to join the fight for final victory. . .

The Gouzers, meanwhile, kept up their momentum and - much to their delight - took command at the expense of the Ends and the Wignalls.

However, at the start of the final loop around Marrakech, nothing had been decided. Gouzer pulled out a fragile two seconds on the Ends and 2.9 seconds from Jayne Wignall/Kevin Savage, with just two timed tests - described as "specially demanding" by Jean-Francois Rageys - still to go.

The Ends took a seemingly decisive advantage on the first test. During the second, however, a problem with their Terratrip made them more than ten seconds late. So, for the fourth time, victory eluded them. Missed again!

The Gouzers (also with equipment trouble) and Wignall/Savage were unexpectedly slow on the final test. Fifth overall before these tests, the masterful Ismails grabbed their chance, taking 5.2s, 7.1 and 11.1 seconds from their unhappy rivals and winning at the last gasp!

This surprise victory at the line crowned a brilliant 15th Morocco Classic, over a route which was beautifully varied and cleverly crafted. Exciting from start to finish, this event will stand out.

Running in parallel, less-experienced competitors of the "Prestige" rally, driving more modern cars, proved their worth. Winners Alain Revret/Denis Dubell (Porsche 911SC) dropped 43.6 penalty points, equal to sixth overall on the "Classic", while the second-placed crew, Ambre El Kholti-Alixanne Chapon (Audi TT) would have been 15th; respect to the girls!

No report of the Maroc Classic would be complete without mentioning one of the roads most loved by the competitors: the Road of the Heart!

Founded in 2000 at the Tata bivouac, the "Road of the Heart" is the term given to a partnership initiated with Happy Hour to support social action in mainly rural areas. This partnership has become one of the essential components of the rally. In almost seven years, it has raised 3,500,000 Dirhams, with about 575,000 Dirhams added this year, thanks to the generosity of corporate partners, the auction of objects given by individuals or sponsors, and a raffle held on the evening of the Gala.

Perhaps the best example of this generosity was offered by Bernard Consten, who auctioned his Coupe des Alpes trophy (won in 1967); it was acquired by a competitor for 71,000 Dirhams, while his fiercest rival bidder sportingly donated an identical sum.

This is part and parcel of the "Maroc Classic la Route du Coeur."

DATE OF THE MAROC CLASSIC 2009:
14-21 MARCH

Posted: January 21, 2008 5:18 PM

• THE 15th MAROC CLASSIC RALLY: A NEW RECORD
• Maroc Classic Rally heading south

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09/11/07
THE 15th MAROC CLASSIC RALLY: A NEW RECORD
Sixty teams are entered in the "Classic" class; 15 in the "Prestige" class. As of today, the provisional entry list for the 15th "MAROC CLASSIC - La Route du Coeur", which runs on 15-22 March 2008, is already closed and sets a new record.

Led by the winners in 2006 and 2007, Oliver Lazar/Stephane Agostini, at the wheel of their faithful Ferrari 308, the French contingent includes a score of the best-prepared crews.

On the other hand, greater interest in the MAROC CLASSIC among the British has produced many more competitors from the UK. No fewer than 12 will start from Rabat, including two of the only pre-war cars entered in the event: an Alvis and a 1937 Lagonda, both exceptional cars.

Apart from these rare pearls, British manufacturers dominate the "Classic" class, where they make up more than one third of the list. Jaguars boast the lion's share, with no fewer than 16 XK or E Types, followed by six Austin Healeys, two Sunbeam Tigers and single examples from Lotus, Morgan, Rolls Royce and Mini Cooper.

The German car industry is well represented, too, its honour defended by an armada of 11 Porsches (356 and 911 models) and six Mercedes (including a trio of 300 SLs).

Italian hopes depend on four Ferraris, four Alfa Romeos and two Maseratis, while Sweden is represented by two Volvos.

In the "Prestige" class, with its rich selection of exceptional cars, the entries include a rare Mercedes-McLaren SLR and (subject to confirmation) one of the magnificent new Ford GTs.

This top-class entry will leave Rabat on 16 March for a route of almost 2,300 kilometres, taking competitors through seven legs, from the mysterious Tangier, via the marvelous Marrakech, the majestic medina at Fez, the chiefs' tent at Tazzarine, the picturesque bivouac at M'Hamid, the luxurious pool of the Berber Palace at Ouarzazate, the mountains and valleys of the Atlas, and the very margins of the desert. . .

Morocco is a land of sublime and striking contrasts, above all a land fit for those who love to drive.

The MAROC CLASSIC is also "La Route du Coeur" (the road to the heart), to which competitors have given generously for almost ten years. This year, they will again help to pay - at the Auction or by anonymous donations - for social projects run by our partner, l'Heure Joyeuse (Happy Hour). Since the year 2000, these donations have totaled almost four million Dirham, or 360,000 Euros.

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25/06/07
Maroc Classic Rally heading south
With a land area of more than 650,000 square kilometres, Morocco is larger than France. The road network, so perfect for the drivers of classic and collectors' cars, is nevertheless less comprehensive than the French one. The number of stages suitable for participants in the "Classic" is not unlimited and the options for route variations are few. Despite this, the rally organisers make it their business to find new routes each year, combining the pleasures of exploration with those of driving.

The 2008 event will be epochal. Divided into seven legs between 15 and 22 March, the route starts from the royal capital, Rabat, and finishes as always in Marrakech. The total distance of 2,240 kms, divided by halts at Tangiers, Fez, Erfoud and Ouarzazate, includes 17 "Regularity Tests on the Road", with at least 60% of roads not used previously.

Organised around a north-south axis, it is notable for traveling further south than ever before on the "Classic", heading all the way down to M'Hamid, well below Zagora, where a bivouac has been arranged (five-star, so don't worry): an exotic change of scenery is a definite promise!

The 2008 "MAROC CLASSIC" is open to 70 crews, including some places reserved for the "Prestige" category (for recent GT cars), which has its own results. Novices can take part in an optional training session (started last year) on the day before the start.

To take advantage of the reduced-rate entry fee, you must enter before 15 September. Total fees will be held at less than 10,000 Euro all inclusive (except petrol) per crew. As usual, transport of the rally car to and from various European

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