An exceptional excitement

The 380-entry limit for the Tour de Corse Historique was reached just 18 minutes after registration opened on January 18. Another pleasant surprise is the record number of twelve Renault 5 Turbo cars on the list.

Sporting fairness is a cornerstone of the Tour de Corse Historique. This principle was evident even during the registration process, which opened on January 18 at 7pm, nine months ahead of the rally’s start from Calvi. At this early stage, everyone had a fair shot—whether they were seasoned veterans or newcomers, whether they owned a valuable classic or a more modest car.

Last year, heavy traffic overwhelmed the website’s bandwidth, causing delays of several minutes. This year, additional technical measures were implemented, yet… “We’re the ones who got the bug,” laughs Marie-Ange Dini. “Initially, we could track registrants in real time on our control screen. But the notifications came in so quickly that we couldn’t keep up!”

History will remember Karine Bertrand as the first to register for the 2025 edition with a Mini Cooper. By 7:18 p.m., the 380 entries cap had been reached, meaning those who registered after that time would be placed on a waiting list.

Twelve Renault 5 Turbo

The long process of validating registrations now begins and we will have to wait until July to see the full list. A preliminary glance reveals over thirty automotive brands will be represented, ranging from Alfa Romeo’s Bertone Coupe to Volvo’s PV 444. The lineup promises a rich diversity, from compact Autobianchi Abarths to the powerful Ford Falcon Sprint V8.

What can already be confirmed, however, is the triumph of the Renault 5 Turbo tribute, with a record twelve entries. These include various versions, such as ‘Cévennes,’ ‘Tour de Corse,’ ‘Group B,’ and ‘Maxi,’ some driven by high-profile personalities used to taking the lead.

Marie-Ange Dini, organiser: Based on the volume of calls we’ve received, we anticipated that 2025 would break last year’s record of 12 hours to fill the 380 entries. However, we never imagined the list would be full in under 20 minutes. This is the most undeniable proof of the extraordinary enthusiasm surrounding our rally. Of course, some will be disappointed, but that’s the game. We are proud to offer everyone a fair chance to make their dream come true. I encourage those who missed out to still register, as cancellations are likely before October.