Competition (VHC) Entry List

With 380 cars on the starting grid, the 2025 Tour de Corse Historique (October 4–11) promises to be more thrilling than ever! In the Competition category (VHC), the battle is expected to be fierce right up to the final special stage. The exceptional lineup includes renowned champions, former winners, and new contenders from France and abroad. As a result, there are no clear favourites, and the race promises to be intense and suspenseful.

Two former winners of the modern Tour de Corse will be competing this year. Bruno Saby, who triumphed in 1986 with the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 Evolution 2, returns with the Lancia Delta HF Integrale—the car in which he won the 1988 Rallye Monte-Carlo. Pascal Trojani, winner in 2009 with the Peugeot 307 WRC, will make his debut at the Tour de Corse Historique behind the wheel of a BMW M3, identical to the one he drove in the 1990s. In his first season in VHC, the Corsican has already won three events (Ronde de la Giraglia, Rallye des Monts de Vaucluse, Rallye de l’Huveaune).

Among the 2025 entrants are two drivers well known for their past successes at the Tour de Corse Historique. Defending champion Julien Saunier is set to make a splash in Calvi, lining up at the start in a Renault 5 Maxi Turbo, as a tribute to Jean Ragnotti’s victory in the 1985 Tour of Corsica. There will also be a change for Christophe Vaison. Already seen at the TDCH in a Talbot Samba, Lancia 037, Ford Escort, BMW M3 and Ford Sierra, the 2014 and 2015 winner returns in a Porsche 911.

Among the other expected entrants is Patrick Bernardini, French Rally Champion in 1995 and 1996, and winner of the 1996 Rallye Monte-Carlo. The Ajaccio-born driver, who took part in the TDCH for the first time in 2022, will drive a BMW M3, the same car in which he earned his first French Championship podium at the 1990 Rallye Alsace-Vosges. Philippe Gache—an eclectic driver with ten participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, four in the Dakar Rally, one in the Indianapolis 500—will contest his tenth TDCH, this time in a Porsche 911.

Like him, several contenders for overall victory in VHC (Periods E to J1) have opted for the iconic Stuttgart model. These include Jean-Baptiste Botti (3rd in 2022), Bertrand Fassio (multiple French Rally Cup VHC winner), Florent Jean (two-time class H/I winner in the Tour Auto), and Richard Kollé (recent winner of the Rallye du Pays des Maures in VHC).

Also behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 are two highly anticipated newcomers: Hugo Micheli, who has made a name for himself in modern rallying with two wins at the Ronde de la Giraglia, and Pascal Perroud, multiple VHC rally winner in France, Switzerland, and Spain.

In the J2 category (1986 to 1990), the battle among BMW M3s promises to be spectacular, featuring Christophe Casanova (J2 winner in 2021), Olivier Capanaccia (J2 winner in 2023), Richard Doux (multiple French Rally Cup VHC winner), Anthony Fotia (3rd J2 in 2024 and recently 5th at the Rallye Rhône-Charbonnières), Jérôme Mancini (2nd J2 in 2024), Tom Pieri (J2 winner in 2024), and Pierre Vivier (2nd J2 in 2022).

Last but not least, the Ford Escort Mk2s from Period I (1977 to 1981) will be driven by Jean-François Bérenguer (multiple French Rally Cup VHC winner), Paul Lietaer (a legend of VHC rallies in the Benelux), and Karl Van De Woestyne (Period I winner in 2024).

COMPETITION ENTRY LIST

Reminder of the three categories

Competition (VHC) follows the rules of modern rallying. To win, the crew must accumulate the best times in special stages. Times are added up over the five days of the rally. The crew with the shortest total time across these timed sectors is declared the winner at the finish.

Regularity (VHRS) requires competitors to complete the special stages while adhering as closely as possible to a pre-chosen average speed (High, Intermediate, Moderate, or Low). Each second early or late incurs penalties, with checkpoints placed along the timed routes.

Légende category, on the other hand, is not timed. It allows crews to participate in the event purely for enjoyment, without the pressure of performance.