French Supertouring Championship
Encyclopedia
The Championnat de France de Supertourisme (French Supertouring Championship) was a touring car racing
championship organised by the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile
between 1976 and 2005.
The championship was contested on several circuits around France, with points awarded for driver classification. The winning driver was the one with the most points at the end of the season.
From the inaugural season in 1976, the cars were run to Group 2 specification
, and the championship was called the Championnat Français de Voiture de Tourisme (French Touring Car Championship). From 1982, Group A
rules were adopted to replace the outgoing Group 2, but in 1987 and 1988 Group B
were allowed to run alongside Group A, dominating the series.
A major change happened in 1991, when the FFSA adopted a set of regulations similar to the British Touring Car Championship
, with a maximum engine displacement of 2000 cc. In 1994, these regulations were formally codified by the FIA as Supertouring
, resulting in the name change to Championnat de France de Supertourisme. All works teams abandoned the championship at the end of 1995 but the series soldiered on with privateers. To make up the numbers, rally kitcars were allowed on the grid.
In 2001, Supertouring cars were replaced in the series by silhouette cars
. Despite the change of class, the series retained its name. The final season was held in 2005, when because of rising costs the championship was cancelled. Since then, the most prestigious French circuit championship has been the GT Tour.
Touring car racing
Touring car racing is a general term for a number of distinct auto racing competitions in heavily-modified street cars. It is notably popular in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Scandinavia and Britain.-Characteristics of a touring car:...
championship organised by the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile
Fédération Française du Sport Automobile
Fédération Française du Sport Automobile , was founded in 1952, with the aim of organising, regulating and developing motorsport in France....
between 1976 and 2005.
The championship was contested on several circuits around France, with points awarded for driver classification. The winning driver was the one with the most points at the end of the season.
From the inaugural season in 1976, the cars were run to Group 2 specification
Group 2 (racing)
The Group 2 racing class referred to regulations for cars in touring car racing and rallying, as regulated by the FIA. Group 2 was replaced by Group A in 1982....
, and the championship was called the Championnat Français de Voiture de Tourisme (French Touring Car Championship). From 1982, Group A
Group A
In relation to motorsport governed by the FIA, Group A referred to a set of regulations providing production-derived vehicles for outright competition. In contrast to the short-lived Group B and Group C, the Group A referred to production-derived vehicles limited in terms of power, weight, allowed...
rules were adopted to replace the outgoing Group 2, but in 1987 and 1988 Group B
Group B
Group B was a set of regulations introduced in 1982 for competition vehicles in sportscar racing and rallying regulated by the FIA. The Group B regulations fostered some of the quickest, most powerful and sophisticated rally cars ever built. However, a series of major accidents, some fatal, were...
were allowed to run alongside Group A, dominating the series.
A major change happened in 1991, when the FFSA adopted a set of regulations similar to the British Touring Car Championship
British Touring Car Championship
The British Touring Car Championship is a touring car racing series held each year in the United Kingdom. The Championship was established in 1958 as the British Saloon Car Championship and has run to various rules over the years – "production cars", then FIA Group 1 or 2 in the late 1960s...
, with a maximum engine displacement of 2000 cc. In 1994, these regulations were formally codified by the FIA as Supertouring
Supertouring
Super Touring, Class 2 or Class II was a motor racing Touring Cars category defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile for national touring car racing in 1993. It was based on the "2 litre Touring Car Formula" created for the British Touring Car Championship in 1990...
, resulting in the name change to Championnat de France de Supertourisme. All works teams abandoned the championship at the end of 1995 but the series soldiered on with privateers. To make up the numbers, rally kitcars were allowed on the grid.
In 2001, Supertouring cars were replaced in the series by silhouette cars
Silhouette racing car
A silhouette racing car is a race car which, although bearing a superficial resemblance to a production model, differs mechanically in fundamental ways. The purpose of silhouette cars is to provide a manufacturer with a tangible link to their consumer product offering so as to derive maximum...
. Despite the change of class, the series retained its name. The final season was held in 2005, when because of rising costs the championship was cancelled. Since then, the most prestigious French circuit championship has been the GT Tour.
Champions
| Year | Driver | Car |
| 1976 |  Jean-Pierre BeltoiseJean-Pierre Beltoise Jean-Pierre Maurice Georges Beltoise is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and Formula One driver who raced for the Matra and BRM teams. François Cevert was his brother-in-law .... |
BMW 3.0 BMW E9 -BMW 2.5CS:The last version of the E9 to be introduced was the 2.5CS in 1974. This was a response to the 1973 oil crisis, such that the buyer could choose the smaller, more economical engine. The engine, from the 2500 sedan, displaced and produced at 6000 revolutions per minute... |
| 1977 | Jean-Pierre Beltoise Jean-Pierre Beltoise Jean-Pierre Maurice Georges Beltoise is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and Formula One driver who raced for the Matra and BRM teams. François Cevert was his brother-in-law .... |
BMW 530 BMW E12 The BMW E12 BMW 5-Series was made between 1972 and 1981. The E12 was the first series to bear the 5 Series name: the '5' denoting BMW's fifth 'New Class' platform. Designed as a replacement for the popular BMW New Class mid-size sedan, the E12 5-Series models were smaller than the large BMW E3... |
| 1978 | Lucien Guitteny |
Ford Capri RS Ford Capri Ford Capri was a name used by the Ford Motor Company for three different automobile models. The Ford Consul Capri coupé was produced by Ford of Britain between 1961 and 1964. The Ford Capri coupé was produced by Ford of Europe from 1969 to 1986... |
| 1979 | Dany Snobeck |
Ford Capri RS Ford Capri Ford Capri was a name used by the Ford Motor Company for three different automobile models. The Ford Consul Capri coupé was produced by Ford of Britain between 1961 and 1964. The Ford Capri coupé was produced by Ford of Europe from 1969 to 1986... |
| 1980 | Dany Snobeck |
Ford Escort Ford Escort (European) The Mark I Ford Escort was introduced in the United Kingdom at the end of 1967, making its show debut at Brussels Motor Show in January 1968. It replaced the successful long running Anglia. The car was presented in continental Europe as a product of Ford's European operation... |
| 1981 | Jean-Pierre Malcher |
BMW 320 BMW E21 BMW E21 is the body designation for the first BMW 3 Series compact executive car, produced by the German automaker BMW from 1975 to 1983. This series was the immediate successor to the BMW 2002 and was superseded by the BMW E30 platform.... |
| 1982 | René Metge |
Rover 3500 Rover SD1 Rover SD1 is both the code name and eventual production name given to a series of large executive cars made by British Leyland or BL through its Specialist, Rover Triumph and Austin Rover divisions from 1976 until 1986.... |
| 1983 | Alain Cudini |
Alfa Romeo GTV |
| 1984 | Dany Snobeck |
Alfa Romeo GTV |
| 1985 | Jean-Louis Schlesser Jean-Louis Schlesser Jean-Louis Schlesser is a French racing driver with experience in circuit racing and cross-country rallying. He is known for his successful wins of many different competitions... |
Rover Vitesse Rover SD1 Rover SD1 is both the code name and eventual production name given to a series of large executive cars made by British Leyland or BL through its Specialist, Rover Triumph and Austin Rover divisions from 1976 until 1986.... |
| 1986 | Xavier Lapeyre |
Audi Quattro Audi Quattro The Audi Quattro is a road and rally car, produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi, now part of the Volkswagen Group. It was first shown at the 1980 Geneva Motor Show on 3 March.The word quattro is derived from the Italian word for "four"... |
| 1987 | Érik Comas Érik Comas Érik Comas is a former Formula One driver from France. He was French Formula 3 champion in 1988, and then Formula 3000 champion in 1990, after scoring the same number of points as Jean Alesi in 1989 but losing on a count-back of positions. He participated in 63 Grands Prix, debuting on 10 March... |
Renault 5 Maxi Turbo Renault 5 The Renault 5 was first unveiled on 10 December 1971, being launched at the beginning of 1972.The Renault 5 was styled by Michel Boué, who died before the car's release, the R5 featured a steeply sloping rear hatchback and front dashboard... |
| 1988 | Jean Ragnotti Jean Ragnotti Jean "Jeannot" Ragnotti , is a French former rally driver for Renault in the World Rally Championship.... |
Renault 21 Turbo Renault 21 The Renault 21 is a large family car produced by French automaker Renault between 1986 and 1994. It was also sold in North America through American Motors dealers as the Renault Medallion and the Eagle Medallion... |
| 1989 | Jean-Pierre Malcher |
BMW M3 BMW M3 The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles... |
| 1990 | Jean-Pierre Malcher |
BMW M3 BMW M3 The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles... |
| 1991 | Xavier Lapeyre |
Audi 80 quattro Audi 80 The Audi 80 is a compact executive car produced by the German car manufacturer Audi, from 1966 to 1996. It shared its platform with the Volkswagen Passat from 1973 to 1986 and was available as a saloon car/sedan, and an Avant... |
| 1992 | Marc Sourd |
Audi 80 quattro Audi 80 The Audi 80 is a compact executive car produced by the German car manufacturer Audi, from 1966 to 1996. It shared its platform with the Volkswagen Passat from 1973 to 1986 and was available as a saloon car/sedan, and an Avant... |
| 1993 |  Frank BielaFrank Biela Frank Biela is an auto racing driver, mainly competing in touring cars and sportscar racing. He has raced exclusively in cars manufactured by the Audi marque since 1990.... |
Audi 80 quattro Audi 80 The Audi 80 is a compact executive car produced by the German car manufacturer Audi, from 1966 to 1996. It shared its platform with the Volkswagen Passat from 1973 to 1986 and was available as a saloon car/sedan, and an Avant... |
| 1994 | Laurent Aiello Laurent Aïello Laurent Aïello is a race car driver.In 1990 he won the Monaco Grand Prix Formula Three support race. His two seasons in International Formula 3000 were not successful however, and though he won the French Formula Three Championship. 2005 was his final competitive season... |
Peugeot 405 Mi16 Peugeot 405 The Peugeot 405 is a large family car released by the French automaker Peugeot in July 1987 and which continues to be manufactured under licence outside France. It used TU/XU petrol and XUD diesel engines.... |
| 1995 | Yvan Muller Yvan Muller Yvan Muller is a French auto racing driver most noted for success in touring car racing. He is a two-time and the reigning World Touring Car Champion.-Single-seaters:... |
BMW 318i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 1996 | Eric Cayrolle Eric Cayrolle Eric Cayrolle is a French auto racing driver.- Racing career :He is a three-time champion of the French Supertouring Championship, winning for three consecutive years between 1996 and 1998. Prior to this he competed in Formula Renault and Formula Three in his native country... |
BMW 320i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 1997 | Eric Cayrolle Eric Cayrolle Eric Cayrolle is a French auto racing driver.- Racing career :He is a three-time champion of the French Supertouring Championship, winning for three consecutive years between 1996 and 1998. Prior to this he competed in Formula Renault and Formula Three in his native country... |
BMW 320i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 1998 | Eric Cayrolle Eric Cayrolle Eric Cayrolle is a French auto racing driver.- Racing career :He is a three-time champion of the French Supertouring Championship, winning for three consecutive years between 1996 and 1998. Prior to this he competed in Formula Renault and Formula Three in his native country... |
BMW 320i BMW E36 The BMW E36 is the third generation of the 3 Series compact executive cars produced by BMW. It was introduced in late 1990 for Europe and in late 1991 for US and Canada. It was the successor to the E30 3 Series and was eventually replaced by the E90 3 Series in 2005, though E36 coupes were still... |
| 1999 | William David |
Peugeot 406 Peugeot 406 The Peugeot 406 was a large family car made by the French automaker Peugeot from 1995 to 2004. Available in saloon, estate and coupé bodystyles with a choice of petrol or turbodiesel engines, the 406 replaced the Peugeot 405 in Peugeot's lineup, and was itself replaced by the Peugeot 407... |
| 2000 | William David |
Peugeot 406 Peugeot 406 The Peugeot 406 was a large family car made by the French automaker Peugeot from 1995 to 2004. Available in saloon, estate and coupé bodystyles with a choice of petrol or turbodiesel engines, the 406 replaced the Peugeot 405 in Peugeot's lineup, and was itself replaced by the Peugeot 407... |
| 2001 | Jean-Philippe Dayraut |
BMW M3 BMW M3 The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles... Silhouette |
| 2002 | Soheil Ayari Soheil Ayari Soheil Ayari is a French race car driver born in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, from an Iranian father and a French mother. He won the French Formula Ford championship of 1994, Formula Three championship of 1996 and the Macau Grand Prix of 1997... |
Peugeot 406 Peugeot 406 The Peugeot 406 was a large family car made by the French automaker Peugeot from 1995 to 2004. Available in saloon, estate and coupé bodystyles with a choice of petrol or turbodiesel engines, the 406 replaced the Peugeot 405 in Peugeot's lineup, and was itself replaced by the Peugeot 407... Silhouette |
| 2003 | Christophe Bouchut Christophe Bouchut Christophe Bouchut is a French race driver. He won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1993. He currently drives in the FIA GT1 World Championship... |
SEAT Cordoba SEAT Córdoba The first generation SEAT Córdoba was presented at the 1993 Frankfurt Motor Show and launched in the summer of the same year, penned by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and based on the chassis of the SEAT Ibiza Mk2 which would spawn the Volkswagen Polo Mk3 the following year.Its 1.4, 1.6, 1.8... Silhouette |
| 2004 | Soheil Ayari Soheil Ayari Soheil Ayari is a French race car driver born in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, from an Iranian father and a French mother. He won the French Formula Ford championship of 1994, Formula Three championship of 1996 and the Macau Grand Prix of 1997... |
Peugeot 406 Peugeot 406 The Peugeot 406 was a large family car made by the French automaker Peugeot from 1995 to 2004. Available in saloon, estate and coupé bodystyles with a choice of petrol or turbodiesel engines, the 406 replaced the Peugeot 405 in Peugeot's lineup, and was itself replaced by the Peugeot 407... Silhouette |
| 2005 | Soheil Ayari Soheil Ayari Soheil Ayari is a French race car driver born in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, from an Iranian father and a French mother. He won the French Formula Ford championship of 1994, Formula Three championship of 1996 and the Macau Grand Prix of 1997... |
Peugeot 406 Peugeot 406 The Peugeot 406 was a large family car made by the French automaker Peugeot from 1995 to 2004. Available in saloon, estate and coupé bodystyles with a choice of petrol or turbodiesel engines, the 406 replaced the Peugeot 405 in Peugeot's lineup, and was itself replaced by the Peugeot 407... Silhouette |