The Star Of The Next Tour Auto Optic 2ooo!

The Tour Auto Optic 2000 Breaks Its Trail For 2010

After the Ferrari 250 "Tour de France" in 2007, the OSCA in 2008, the Jaguar MkII and Ford GT40 in 2009, the Tour Auto Optic 2ooo celebrates in 2010 the 50th anniversary of the first victory of the Ferrari250 SWB in the Tour de France Automobile. For this chrome and aluminium star adulated by the public, the organiser Peter Auto has big ambitions and hopes for a unique gathering of SWB for the Tour Auto Optic2ooo start on April 19, 2010 in the Jardins des Tuileries in Paris.

Already ten entered, but the inscriptions remain open with special conditions –including an automatic outclassing– reserved for 250GT SWB drivers. Among the ten cars already entered, is the one driven to victory by Willy Mairesse in the 1960 Tour de France. Flashback to the period when the Cavallino ruled over the French race…

September 1960, an armada of nine Ferrari 250 GT SWBs line up for the start of the ninth after-war Tour de France. Enough to dishearten the competition, as the new Berlinetta is of the lineage of the Ferrari 250s whichhave already ruled over the French race for four years. Boasting a brilliant V12 3 litre engine, this new versionhas a chassis shortened by 20 cm and beautifully designed aluminium bodywork. At the finish, after a 5000 kilometre expedition via the Ventoux, Spa and Nürburgring: is the awaited victory, with a bonus triple win!


Only two of the nine starting Ferraris fail to finish. The V12 3 litre engine is indeed as reliable as efficient, deciding qualities on long races such as the Tour Auto. In addition, the shortened chassis gives the car further agility. In short… they are unbeatable and will remain so in 1961 and 1962, expertly driven by Lords of the race such as Willy Mairesse, Jo Schlesser, Olivier Gendebien, Lucien Bianchi, André Simon and Maurice Trintignant.


The famous Berlinetta enters the legend of the French race at the same time as lining up trophies in all the biggest international races: total victory in the 1000 kms of Paris, the Tourist Trophy and victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 1000 kilometres of Nürburgring, the Targo Florio… Rare are cars who have eclipsed the competition with such supremacy during their whole sporting career.


For more information, Entry forms  visit www.tourauto.com.


[Source Tour Auto]