The Grand Prix de Pau Historique becomes mainly refocused on the single-seaters which made its fame. Actually, those Formulas, which perfectly fit to this demanding circuit, legitimately claim to be a major step to Formula 1. An exception to confirm the rule is the Grand Touring and Sportscars grid paying tribute to the "Trois Heures de Pau" born in 1958. Since a last minute time slot could be arranged, a brand new grid is proposed, exclusively reserved for a Regularity Test, opened to Tourism, GTs and Sports Cars up to 1975.

 

THE SINGLE-SEATER GRIDS

 

Trophée Légende - Pre War Grand Prix & Sports cars

This grid, the oldest of this competition, will also include some sports cars which, like the period single-seaters have printed the '30's motor racing legend. From the beginning on, Delages, Bugattis and ERAs mark the formula: agility and refinement for the French cars, performance and punch for their British challengers; records and podiums giving the tempo. This period sees the rise of Italian makes such as Maserati and Alfa Romeo. This grid offers the possibility to see again some of the pearls from Pre War such as a 1939 V12 Lagonda Le Mans or an 1936 Era B Type whose prize list is impressive.

Free practice: 25 mn – Qualifying: 25 mn – Race: 2 x 25 mn each

 

 

Trophée Junior - Formula Junior (1957-1963)

Collecting both front-engine (Stanguellini, Elva…) and rear-engine (Lotus, Lola) Formula Juniors. Actually, with Grand Prix car chassis and their small capacity production engine, these series have always stood out as the real upper disciplines antechamber. Christian Traber will drive on Pau’s asphalt an exceptional Formula Junior: the 1962 Lotus 22. This 4-cylinder car was no less than Jo Siffert’s car. A pedigree difficult to challenge!

Free practice: 25 mn – Qualifying: 25 mn – Race: 2 x 25 mn each

 

 

Trophée Argentin - Pre 61 Grand Prix cars

To erase WWII memories, the cars manufacturers go back to work, offering a brand new motor racing cars generation. Following Alfa Romeo, Maserati entrust their legendary 250F to Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss and other first class drivers… As a result the Trident could stand out at the Grand Prix de Pau. A lot of stars will be part of this grid. Among them, the 1960 Cooper T53 entered by duo Spaggiari/Marchi, which is the single-seater Bruce McLaren was driving in 1960 at the Formula One World Championship. In 1961, the car also went through a lot of international races in J. Brabham's hands, including participation at Pau during which he unfortunately had to give up.

Free practice: 30 mn – Qualifying: 30 mn – Race: 2 x 30 mn each

 

 

Trophée de Pau – Pre 66 Grand Prix cars All the cars of this period star formula (Brabham, Cooper, Lotus…) or nearly, were successfully driven at Pau by F1 legendary motor racing drivers: Jack Brabham, Graham Hill or Jim Clark have excelled there in the early sixties. Indeed, Jim Clark is the only driver able to add four Grand Prix de Pau Historique victories to his prize list.

Engine shifting to the rear for a better balance, capacity limited to 1500cc are the new regulations to secure the drivers. But everybody knows that regulations are issued to be circumvented by engineers, who very quickly understand how to get 200Hp from those fragile 4, then often 8.  Today, the queen of the grid is the 1967 Brabham BT23-5, ex Jochen Rindt.

Free practice: 30 mn – Qualifying: 30 mn – Race: 2 x 30 mn each

 

 

Trophée des Pyrénées – Formula Ford – Formula France – F3 1000 cm3 (1964-1981) Collecting single seaters from 1964 to 1981 in their original configuration, this grid will combine F3 1000 cc, Formula Ford Historic and Formula France. This brand new grid will be led by a 1969 Tecno F3 1000 cc, entered by Philippe Bonny. Let’s remind that Jean-Pierre Jaussaud was on pole position as well as the race in Pau in 1970 at the wheel of this car.

Free practice: 25 mn – Qualifying: 25 mn – Race: 2 x 25 mn each

 

 

THE GT & TWO-SEATER SPORTS GRID

 

Trophée Phil Hill – Pre 66 Touring cars & Pre 63 Two-Seater sports cars By late fifties, the Touring cars are very trendy. The success met by the Tour de France Automobile when passing through Pau in 1957, gives the idea to the Grand Prix organisers to build up a grid gathering the beautiful GTs for the following year. The "3 Heures Internationales de Pau" host a most prestigious grid from the first event on: AC Bristols, Alfa Romeo SZs, Fiat 8Vs Zagato and no less than ten Ferraris 250GT set up inside the circuit amenities for the public's greatest pleasure. Although he let the first "3 Heures de Pau" victory to Olivier Gendebien also "Tour de France Automobile" winner, late Phil Hill, gives his name to this grid. Actually the American champion marked the 1958-year with three major wins: Le Mans, Sebring and the 1000km of Buenos Aires.

Free practice: 40 mn – Qualifying: 40 mn – Race: 1 hour

 

Trophee Regularite

 

Since a last minute time slot could be arranged, a brand new grid – the Trophee Regularité- is proposed, exclusively reserved for a 40-min.Regularity Test session. The eligible cars are Touring cars, GTs and Sport cars built until 1975. No special equipment is required. Either a FIA Historic technical Passport (HTP) or a FIVA form shall be presented for the car and the drivers shall have a national Regularity licence. A one-event licence can be delivered on the spot.

1 regularity session : 40 mn