classic 2009 / 16th editionfrom 13th to 20th March 2010View photo gallery
AFTER 14 YEARS. . .
VICTORY FOR WIEDERIN / HOEFER (PORSCHE 356)
The current economic crisis meant that the 2009 edition of the MAROC CLASSIC - "Road of the Heart", which took place from 14 to 21 March, was slightly less well supported than in recent years. However, the event still attracted roughly 50 participants (including adozen modern GTs) and made up in quality forany lack of quantity.
The elite of French rallying during the 1960s and 1970s lined up at the start. Bob NEYRET- whose glorious record included being a two-times winner of this event in 1969 and 1970, when it was part of the World Rally Championship, and a third win in its "Classic" form in 1997 - was driving a famous réplica Citroen DS. Jean-Pierre Nicolas, winner in 1968 in a R8 Gordini, was also back, this time with a Peugeot 504 Coupe.
Bernard CONSTEN, multiple French Rally Champion and a faithful competitor since the first edition of the "Classic" (which he won in 2003 with Jean-Claude MILOE), was clearly in command of a Jaguar, in this case an E-Type V12. This illustrious trio had therefore opted for three different machines, but each selected his wife as a co-driver.
It was, however, a quartet of lesser-known teams who fought for victory over the spécial stages, which made up some 2,300 kms of the route. Previous winners Olivier LAZAR /Stephane AGOSTINI and Alexandre ISMAIL/Mathias ISMAIL were quickly overhauled by thebattle between Elmar WIEDERIN / Alexander HOEFER (Porsche 356) and Claude LAURENT/Dominique LAURENT (Lotus Elan); they were followed by Dafir ARRAKI / Karim TAISSIR (Triumph TR5), a Royal Air Maroc pilot whose impressive regularity skills overcame a gearbox failure, and Alexandre MERLE / Florent CARUANA (Jaguar XK150), leaders of the younger generation.
They were threatened by the charming Carine MERLE / Pauline MERLE (sister and wife respectively of Alexander), not only the most glamorous crew on the entry list, but also among of the best performers in their pretty little Alfa Giulia Spider. They had a brilliant event to finish fifth, behind their companions, while the Moroccans, valiant when it mattered, snatched third place behind Laurent, who made the most of his car's wonderful agility, even on the occasionally rough roads of the Kingdom of Morocco.
None of this concerned the Austro-German crew in their convertible 356, who were unbeatable on their way to outright victory after 14 years of trying.
In the "Prestige" category - for modern GTcars - the Bordeaux crew Vincent REPOUX /Christian PATA / LAVIGNE dominated from start to finish in their Lotus Elite, ahead of the two-times Moroccan winners (in 2005 and 2007) Rafik LAHLOU / Dalila LAHLOU (Porsche 911). There was a notably good performance from Frederic O'NEILL / Anne-Sophie O'NEILL, who brought their beautiful Ferrari 430 Spyder to Marrakech without a single scratch, despite some sections rendered "very sensitive" by the heavy rain which had befallen the Kingdom.
This year, Jean-François RAGEYS – the promoter and organiser of the "Classic" – and his team had decided to raise the pace a bit, to increase the sporting nature of the rally.
The enthusiasts driving their the old machines were well supported by the unparalleled effectiveness of the Royale Moroccan Police and did not complain! As for the "pleasure of the eyes", as they say over there: from the peaks of the Atlas to the shores of the Atlantic through the desert sands, and the quality of the welcome - all these remained incomparable. Crisis or not, "Formula Rageys" retained its appeal!
Finally, "The Road of the Heart", through which the Maroc Classic supports the social activity of the Happy Hour charity, this year celebrated its tenth year of existence.
Almost 5 Million Dirhams (roughly 450,000 Euros) have been collected during this decade, all invested in humanitarian projects to benefit families and children, mainly in rural areas. The outpouring by competitors, generous donors and corporate partners has not declined, despite the current circumstances. The exceptional 2008 figure of 579,000 dirhams (over 50,000 Euros) seemed unlikely to be matched, but it will not only be reached, but is expected to total 700,000 dirhams (60,000 Euros).
Memorable contributions included an offer by Hassan El Glaoui for 120,000 dirhams (over 10,000 Euros) and the sale of the 1969 Le Mans 24 Hours starting flag by Bernard Consten, former President of the French Federation of Motor Sports, for 115,000 dirhams (over10,000 Euros).
Truly, The Classic Rally of Morocco is indeed "The Road of the Heart".
FINAL RESULTS – TROPHEE TOTAL - CATEGORIE « CLASSIC »
1ER Elmar WIEDERIN-Alexander HOEFER AUT/ALL Porsche 356 72,3
2 Claude LAURENT-Mme Dominique LAURENT FRA Lotus Elan S 4 87,6
3 Dafir ARRAKI-Karim TAISSIR MAR Triumph TR5 88,2
4 Alexandre MERLE-Florent CARUANA FRA Jaguar XK 150 S 99,4
5 Mmes Carine MERLE-Pauline MERLE FRA Alfa Romeo Giulietta 104,3
6 Dr. E. Michael FEICHTINGER-Michael HABERL AUST Porsche 356 Carrera 2000 104,3
7 Mme Claude CONSTEN-Bernard CONSTEN FRA Jaguar Type E V12 110,7
8 José ROSINSKI-Jean-Claude THIRIET FRA Jaguar Type C 123,4
9 Rafaël CEREZO-Ramon CEREZO ESP Jaguar XK 120 129,1
10 Alexandre ISMAIL-Mathias ISMAIL MAD Porsche 911 2.4 S 148,9
11 Michel ANJORAS-Jean-Noel TREILLES FRA Porsche Targa 2.4 167,9
12 Olivier LAZAR-Stephane AGOSTINI FRA Ferrari 308 GTS 183,0
13 Christian DUMOLIN-Luc VANOVERSCHELDE BEL Mercedes 300 SL Roadster 187,0
14 Jean-Pierre NICOLAS-Helene NICOLAS FRA Peugeot 504 Coupe V6 205,9
15 Bruno PITEL-Mme Emmanuelle RANSON FRA Austin Healey 100/4 228,7
…….
FINAL RESULTS – TROPHEE PEUGEOT - CATEGORIE « PRESTIGE »
1 Vincent REPOUX-Christian PATA-LAVIGNE FRA Lotus Elite 107,3
2 Rafik LAHLOU-Mme Dalila LAHLOU MAR Porsche 911 C2 127,3
3 Nabil LAHLOU-Mme Selma LAHLOU MAR Porsche 911 Targa 208,2
4 Abdelmajid ALAOUI-Mme Karima ALAOUI MAR Lotus Super Seven 363,3
5 Frederic O'NEILL-Mme Anne Sophie O'NEILL FRA Ferrari 430 Spyder 367,2
the MAROC CLASSIC 2009 visual
The visual CLASSIC MOROCCO 2009's graphic design was drew by the famous Moroccan painter Hassan El GLAOUI whose works are internationally known and recognized. Son of the Pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui Hassan has not been guided by his social status. Born in 1924 in the midst of olive groves, gardens and a magnificent view over the Atlas, very soon he were focused on painting encouraged by General Goodyear, founder of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He went to Paris in 1950 and enrolled at the Ecole Nationale des Beaux Arts and organized his first exhibition at Galerie André Weil. Then he was represented in several exhibitions in Paris, New York, Brussels, London and Casablanca. The El Glaoui’s painting is an "atmosphere", an emotion from intimate portraits to still lifes.