Lancia 037s to take centre stage at the Tour de Corse Historique

Once a firm fixture on the World Rally Championship calendar, the Tour de Corse was known in period as the ‘Ten Thousand Turns Rally’ due to its twisting route around the island birthplace of ‘Boney’. It hasn’t featured as a WRC event since 2019 but the Tour de Corse Historique, which this year is running its 24th edition, is keeping Corsica’s rally heritage alive.

After a largely administrative weekend, the rally sets out anticlockwise on October 8, starting in the marina at resort town Porto-Vecchio in the south-east, then darts up the coast to Lucciana, across the top of the isle to Calvi, then south to Propriano before arriving back in Porto-Vecchio on October 12. You’re basically never far from a beach, spectacular mountain view or rally car with significant racing background. Five stages, 620 miles and 380 crews.

This year will mark the 40th anniversary of Markku Alén’s Tour de Corse victory in a Martini Racing Lancia 037, which, as fact fans will tell you, was the final WRC win for this model. Regardless of its record, doesn’t the 037 just look better as the years pass? Special conditions of entry have been offered for owners of this Group B fancy.

For those taking part (and if you haven’t already applied, you’re too late) you’ll be among illustrious company. Jos Verstappen, father of Formula 1 world champion Max –and, it now transpires, a long-time fan of Toto Wolff and all the work he’s ever done with Mercedes – is a confirmed entrant. This will be his historic rally debut, driving a 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 RS, although he’s no stranger to off-road sport, having driven in the Belgian Rally Championship since 2022.

As for prime spectating locations, the rally’s communications manager Julien Hergault suggests Notre Dame de la Serra, near Calvi. “It’s featured in all 24 editions of the Tour de Corse Historique,” he says. “This road is both the most beautiful and the most terrifying you can imagine. It consists of an uninterrupted succession of bends on a road clinging to ochre cliffs between sky and sea. It’s a huge challenge for the drivers.”

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Autos de France

Oulton Park, Cheshire, October 12

Grab your Breton shirt and beret for a Gallic love-in – a full day of French-themed racing. Expect to see 2CVs, Citroën Saxos and Peugeot 206 GTis in the mix – and spectators can get close to the cars and drivers in the paddock. Ooh la la, afterwards there’ll be a French car track parade.

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DTM – Hockenheim

Hockenheim, Germany, October 18-20

Since the series started in 1984, no other track has hosted more DTM races than Hockenheim – and the season reaches its climax this weekend. Former Williams reserve Jack Aitken is the only Brit in DTM, driving a Ferrari for Emil Frey, and looks set to achieve his goal for ’24 – to finish in the top 10.

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VSCC – Cotswold trial

Gretton, Gloucestershire, October 26-27

This esteemed organ has been covering the Vintage Sports-Car Club’s outdoor challenge for decades. Our 1937 write-up records, “the majority drove motor cars from before 1931”. It isn’t too different today. Expect mud.

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WEC – Bahrain eight hours

Sakhir, Bahrain, October 31-November 2

Is Toyota’s Hypercar stranglehold about to come to an end? Since the category’s inception in 2021, the Japanese have grabbed the glory every year but Porsche Penske might be about to change all that. Bahrain is the season’s finale – a full working day of racing in the sun.

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London to Brighton veteran car run

London, Surrey, Sussex, November 3

Years ago, a photo from this annual pootle would have made Motor Sport’s front cover. Bring it back, we say! It’s an early start from Hyde Park, 6am, with cars arriving at Brighton’s Madeira Drive from 10am. The route covers 60 miles, with some of the oldest cars in existence taking part – including early steam and electric-powered pioneers.

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More events

Oct 13 WSBK – Estoril, Portugal
Oct 20 WRC – Central European Rally
Oct 20 F1 – US GP, Austin, Texas