Classic Festival: Guy Fréquelin and Christine Beckers star guests at Nogaro

“The recipe is always the same, then we change the party dressing a little.” Associate manager of Max Mamers Management (M3), Benoît Abdelatif has a sense of the formula. It must be said that he knows the key to the success of the Classic Festival, a now essential event on the Gers and French automobile calendar, particularly for lovers of old mechanics. Last year, more than 20,000 visitors visited the Paul-Armagnac circuit as part of the 10^e birthday. The Autosur Classic Parade mobilized 505 cars, a new participation record, the previous one dating from 2017 (500 cars).

The bar is therefore high for the 11^e edition, scheduled for Saturday October 5 and Sunday October 6 in Nogaro, on the Paul-Armagnac circuit of course but also throughout the city. To try to reach it, or even exceed it, the organization did not skimp on the menu by inviting Guy Fréquelin, ex-rally driver and sporting director of Citroën Sport, where he notably had under his orders a certain Sébastien Loeb. “It’s a great moment because he is a very important figure in the French motorsport landscape. As a driver and team manager, he has left his mark on French motorsport,” underlines Benoît Abdelatif.

50 years of the Golf 1, 60 years of the Ford Mustang

To mark the occasion, the organization even decided to bring in the famous Talbot-Chrysler Sunbeam-Lotus, at the wheel of which Guy Fréquelin obtained 2^e place in the World Rally Championship in 1981, only beaten that year by Finnish legend Ari Vatanen. The former pilot will have the opportunity to revive memories during an exceptional demonstration on Saturday October 5.

Another star guest of this 11^e vintage, the Belgian Christine Beckers should also attract the crowds on the Paul-Armagnac circuit, she who notably marked the history of the 24 hours of Le Mans (4 participations, victory in 1974 in the 2 liter class) and who was the only European to having qualified for NASCAR on the legendary Daytona circuit. Present last year, Jacques Laffite and Jean Ragnotti will be back, to the delight of early fans.

Beyond the guests, the Classic Festival will of course allow the public to admire authentic collector’s items, with 1,000 cars expected for the occasion. This 11th edition will also celebrate the 50th^e anniversary of the Volkswagen Golf 1 and the 60th anniversary of the Ford Mustang. The traditional stock exchange will also make a return. Something to delight everyone. “There is something for all tastes, all budgets and all expectations,” concludes Benoît Abdelatif.