WORDS: ELLIOTT HUGHES | PHOTOS: PETER AUTO
France’s foremost historic rallying event, Tour Auto, is set to return from April 22 to 27, 2024, celebrating the legendary BMW 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’ and its prototypes.
Commencing at Hall 6 of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Tour Auto kicks off with scrutineering and a captivating car display. From there, intrepid crews embark on a 2000km odyssey, concluding at the picturesque Basque coastal town of Biarritz in southern France.
Departing Paris, the route leads participants to the UTAC Lineas-Montlhéry Autodrome for an exclusive event. Subsequently, a series of timed Competition and Regularity rallies unfold on four distinguished circuits – Le Mans, Val de Vienne, Nogarro, and Pau – providing exciting interludes as the expedition winds through locations such as Tours-La Grange de Meslay, Limoges, Carcassonne and Pau before finally reaching Biarritz.
Tour Auto’s tribute to the BMW 3.0 CSL and its prototype iterations revolves around the model’s participation in the prestigious Tour de France Automobile, which inspired Tour Auto.
Held from 1899 to 1986, the Tour de France Automobile saw legendary prototypes from the likes of Jaguar, Porsche, Matra and Ferrari compete for glory throughout its history. The 3.0 CSL will appear on-track among several models from these manufacturers, including its period rivals, the Ferrari 512M and Matra MS650.
Registration for the 2024 Tour Auto is now open to cars built between 1951 and 1973. For more information, click here.
