French Supertouring Championship

The Championnat de France de Supertourisme (English: 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.

A national title was given in 1974, but a proper touring car championship only started 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 1983 the FFSA modified them to be loosely based on Group A, evolving into the 1987 and 1988 seasons, where Group B type machines, called "Superproduction," were allowed to run alongside Group A, dominating the series.[1] The championship changed its name to Super Tourisme in 1989, when Group A cars were allowed technical evolutions to keep up with the faster Superproduction cars.

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 cm3. In 1994, these regulations were formally codified by the FIA as Supertouring. 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 FFSA GT Championship.

Circuits

Supertouring era (1993-2001)

Champions

Year Driver Car
1974 France Jean-Claude Aubriet (Group 2) BMW 3.0 CSL
France Henri Greder (Group 1) Opel Commodore GSE
1975 Not held
1976 France Jean-Pierre Beltoise BMW 3.0 CSi
1977 France Jean-Pierre Beltoise BMW 530
1978 France Lucien Guitteny Ford Capri 3.0 S
1979 France Dany Snobeck Ford Capri 3.0 S
1980 France Dany Snobeck Ford Escort RS 2000
1981 France Jean-Pierre Malcher BMW 320i
1982 France René Metge Rover 3500
1983 France Alain Cudini Alfa Romeo GTV6
1984 France Dany Snobeck Alfa Romeo GTV6
1985 France Jean-Louis Schlesser Rover Vitesse
1986 France Xavier Lapeyre Audi Quattro
1987 France Érik Comas (Superprod.) Renault 5 Maxi Turbo
France Fabien Giroix (Group A) BMW M3
1988 France Jean Ragnotti (Superprod.) Renault 21 Turbo
France Jean-Pierre Malcher (Group A) BMW M3
1989 France Jean-Pierre Malcher BMW M3
1990 France Jean-Pierre Malcher BMW M3
1991 France Xavier Lapeyre Audi 80 quattro
1992 France Marc Sourd Audi 80 quattro
1993 Germany Frank Biela Audi 80 quattro
1994 France Laurent Aiello Peugeot 405 Mi16
1995 France Yvan Muller BMW 318i
1996 France Éric Cayrolle BMW 320i
1997 France Éric Cayrolle BMW 320i
1998 France Éric Cayrolle BMW 320i
1999 France William David Peugeot 406
2000 France William David Peugeot 406
2001 France Jean-Philippe Dayraut BMW M3 Silhouette
2002 France Soheil Ayari Peugeot 406 Silhouette
2003 France Christophe Bouchut SEAT Cordoba Silhouette
2004 France Soheil Ayari Peugeot 406 Silhouette
2005 France Soheil Ayari Peugeot 406 Silhouette

References

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