“A buggy, with a motorcycle engine”: 220 drivers from all over France in Saint-Vincent-des-Landes for the Auto-Cross

220 pilots, andbetween 5,000 and 7,000 spectators for the 50th anniversary of the competition. Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5, the Saint-Vincent-des-Landes Auto-Cross kept all its promises despite very difficult weather. The drivers, coming from everywhere, competed on the circuit during the Coupe de France and the French championship.

Over the years, the event has become one of the must-see events in the discipline.

“Formula 1 of the earth”

On the starting line, the engines of 15 autocross engines purr and wait for the green light. It is not insignificant that the nickname given to these machines is the “Formula 1 of the earth”. For six laps, these little buggies will roll on the dirt. The drivers with the best times can hope to advance to the final.

Although the discipline is recognized by the French Motor Sport Federation, the drivers do not make a living from it. For many, it is a passion that also involves designing their own vehicle. This is the case of Timo, who came from Allier with his family. A year and a half for design, a few weeks for assembly of his auto-cross, and competitions almost every weekend: “We’ve been doing this now with my brother for about 6 years” says the 20-year-old enthusiast. In the end, his vehicle weighs 330 kilos for 145 horsessomething to offer “good feelings“.

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For many fans, it’s a family affair, instar of Mathieu, who came from Toulouse with his dad. Around the tracks for 25 years and working in the automobile industry, he says: “Since he was as tall as three apples, he has been on the autocross circuits“. And for Mathieu, today it is a real passion occupying all his time: “You have to prepare, and it takes time, in the evenings, on weekends, between races“.

An institution for amateurs

Over the years, the circuit has become renowned, even essential for certain drivers. And with a growing number of registration requests to participate every year, the Saint-Vincent-des-Landes auto-cross has become an institution explains Florian, the speaker of the French championship: “It is an event which is well established, which is historic, which has solid foundations, and which continues to attract many pilots. So without a doubt, we’re here for many more decades here in Saint-Vincent“.

And for the inhabitants of the town, the date of the auto-cross is never missed. Marianne even saw the competition born near her home: “I have lived here for 70 years” she declares, before adding: “It’s really the thing of the country, of the area, it’s true that it’s good! It’s thanks to that that I was able to discover auto-cross, and every year, it allows us to find, and see again faces that we only see once a year“.