TOUR AUTO
April
15th – 20th, 2002
David Heynes and I did our first Tour
Auto this year from Paris to Biarritz in the competition section, which
included four circuits and five special sections (hillclimbs on closed roads).
The rest was fast, passing through very pretty country and through ancient
villages, some close to the Pyrenees and at times above the snow line. At night
we stopped at Vichy (not good vibes), Andorra (ghastly!), Avignon, Toulouse and
Biarritz.
Lunches were very well organised in
interesting settings - an ancient Abbey, a restored historic barn and one
market square in the middle of Mirepoix, where the mayor and locals were in
traditional costume (put his village on your 'must visit' list!) The
organisation was brilliant, considering we were 600 drivers/navigators, plus
back-up crews and cars to transport us all to our hotels. All these people had
to have accommodation and parking, so all night stops were an incredible
achievement too.
It was great fun, though quite
exhausting! We had to be up at 6 am and rarely reached our destination before 6
or 7 pm. However, there were 'fringe benefits' for those of us who were needy!
There were tiring 'business meetings' with Madame Claude in Paris, Belly
Dancers in Toulouse, and I was told the Lady Mayoress in Andorra was 'fun' by a
Gerry Marshall lookalike!
Our reception was varied. Rumour has it
that one driver was put in jail in Andorra because he would not pay a fine for
his car (which was allegedly too loud!). The Spanish/Andorra police seemed to
be trying anything to get money from us (seatbelts, exhaust noise, helmets).
Everywhere else in France we were welcomed and appreciated.
In short - I strongly recommend the Tour
Auto to any of you!
D.B.