After a brave Tour Auto 2021 in a 130 hp BMW 2002 tii, the L’argus crew is back on the start line for the 2022 edition. Our journalists Géraldine Gaudy and Mathieu Sentis exchange their cars for a 170 hp 2002 turbo, even more powerful, even rarer, even more mythical. Discovery.
After two last editions staggered in September to adapt to health restrictions, the Tour Auto is resuming its spring marks. Its departure will be given on Tuesday April 26, 2022 at the Château de Rambouillet (Yvelines), before the procession undulates through La Baule, Limoges, Bordeaux and Pau. Final destination ? The Pyrenees and the Principality of Andorra, where this historic rally had not set wheels for twenty years. Two days before the start, the 230 crews entered will park their vehicles at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris (Sunday April 24 from 2 p.m. and Monday April 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The opportunity to meet the crew of The argus and their new “titine”, a BMW 2002 turbo leaving the factory in 1975 and described a little below.
Enthusiasts can then get lost in the aisles to admire some 45 Porsches, 24 Jaguars, 20 Ferraris and 10 Lotuses, but also much rarer models (Ligier JS2, BMW M1 Procar, Maserati 200 SI) or popular (BMW Isetta, or Panhard Dyna X87 from 1953!). Despite their inestimable value, both commercial and sentimental, these 230 rarities will be ready to fight over more than 2,000 km covered in five days. Because the Tour Auto has nothing of a skewer of old exhibited on the carpet. It is a real competition, timed, which is played through eleven special stages on closed road and three on circuit. Like last year, our crew will be engaged in Regularity, which rewards… regularity rather than the best time. Enough to allow their BMW 2002 turbo to aim for the outposts, even in the face of the aforementioned power monsters. But one thing at a time.
The BMW 2002 turbo from The argus
It was on the La Ferté-Gaucher circuit, in Seine-et-Marne, that Géraldine Gaudy and Mathieu Sentis got their bearings aboard their superb BMW 2002 turbo. This copy, property of BMW France since 1985, has already driven through the event several times and had a major overhaul for the occasion: engine/gearbox/axle oil changes, replacement of spark plugs, fuses, tyres, brake pads, steering rack. Not to mention the upcoming installation of a mechanical Tripmaster. It is an additional distance counter more reliable than the original one and which will be their ally to keep average speeds given on closed roads.
Compared to their “ex” 2002 Tii, the car has nothing to do with it: 170 turbo hp instead of 130 hp atmo, firmer controls and a completely different mechanical progressiveness, when the “old-fashioned” turbo suddenly triggers its 241 Nm of torque on rear wheels with 13-inch diameter rims. To keep up the pace when exiting a hairpin without spinning the vintage Michelins (which would skew the distance traveled on the odometer and maintaining the correct average speed), it will therefore be necessary to be tactful. Here, no ABS or anti-skid, and even less all-wheel drive, unlike the contemporary descendant of this 2002 Turbo, the BMW M240i Coupé, which we will talk to you about soon.
Follow us on the course!
Like last year, our crew will share the wheel over the stages. Géraldine, four seasons on the circuit in the Caterham Cup to her credit, will drive the 2002 turbo during the track events, where her regularity will have to speak for her to set several laps in the same time, to the nearest second. On a closed road, it is Mathieu’s “rallystic” experience that will count to maintain the average speed given at the start of the special, often easy to hold in a straight line but much more difficult in the curves, hairpins, climbs and descents of tortuous course chosen by the organization.
In 2021 on their BMW 2002 tii, our two journalists occupied third place in their category before a slight mechanical problem prevented them from showing up on time at the start of the final loop. The car had still seen the arrival in Nice, as summarized in our long-term article. Géraldine and Mathieu will once again relay their adventure in live on our social networks (Facebook, Instagram @largus_auto) and/or on our YouTube channel through daily videos. Do you prefer human contact? Our duo will be present from Monday April 25 at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, open to the public like the regrouping areas scattered throughout the route between Rambouillet and Andorra (see program below) . Encouragement welcome!
The 2022 Tour Auto program
Monday, April 25, 2022
- technical and administrative checks
- exhibition to the public at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center, pavilion 6
Stage 1 – Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Paris > La Baule
- Bugatti circuit of Le Mans
- 1 special stage
Stage 2 – Wednesday April 27, 2022
La Baule > Limoges
- circuit of the Val-de-Vienne
- 2 special stages
Stage 3 – Thursday April 28, 2022
Limoges > Bordeaux
- 3 special stages
Stage 4 – Friday April 29, 2022
Bordeaux > Pau
- Nogaro Circuit
- 2 special stages
Stage 5 – Saturday April 30, 2022
Pau > Andorra
- 3 special stages
TO READ. The Tour Auto in a Peugeot 204 coupé: the inside story
