Five Triumph TR7 V8s at the start!

Five Triumph TR7 V8s, several in factory colours, will take part in the Tour de Corse Historique from 3 to 10 October 2026. The celebration will be enhanced by the presence of a former Triumph works driver from the period: American John Buffum. A little‑known car, the Triumph TR7 V8 made its official World Rally Championship debut at the 1978 Tour de Corse, with Jean‑Luc Thérier and Tony Pond.

Five Triumph TR7 V8s will be on the start line of the 2026 Tour de Corse Historique. Four of them will be entered by Philippe Galland (Lange Competition), one of Europe’s leading specialists in the preparation of British marque rally cars.

Little known to the general public, the Triumph TR7 V8 stands out for its sharp lines and wedge profile, as well as the raw sound of its powerful 370‑hp engine. A true curiosity of British automotive history, this radical version was produced in only 19 examples by the factory, at the turn of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Top‑level drivers

The delegation will include Stéphane Poudrel, winner of the 1995 Coupe de France des Rallyes and the 2001 Coupe de France de la Montagne in a Renault 5 Turbo. Since 2013, the Montélimar native has amassed 36 victories at the wheel of his ex‑works Triumph TR7 V8. Another car will be entrusted to Philippe Fertoret, runner‑up in the 2024 French VHC Rally Championship.

The “Triumph” celebration will be completed by the presence of veteran John Buffum, a Triumph works driver from 1977 to 1981. The 82‑year‑old driver, who remains to this day the only American to have won a round of the European Championship (ADAC‑Sachs 1983 and the Cyprus Rally 1984 in an Audi Quattro), will take part in his second Tour de Corse Historique. He will drive a 1980 Ford Escort RS 2000 Mk II, entered in regularity (VHRS).

1978, a world premiere in Corsica

Entered for the first time in the World Championship at the 1978 Tour de Corse, the Triumph TR7 V8 failed to achieve the expected success, despite the presence of illustrious drivers such as Jean‑Luc Thérier, Tony Pond and John Buffum. It may well be this very failure that makes it even more cult today.

In the 1970s, the British multi‑brand group British Leyland had no car to succeed the legendary Mini Cooper in rallying. The industrial giant ultimately chose the Triumph TR7, a sporty coupé with resolutely modern lines, powered by the 2‑litre four‑cylinder from the Dolomite Sprint.

In 1976, British driver Tony Pond gave the car its first victory in his national championship, fuelling the manufacturer’s global ambitions. Fitted with a 3.5‑litre V8 producing 295 hp, the TR7 V8 was now expected to rival the Lancia Stratos, Porsche 911, Ford Escort RS and Fiat 131 Abarth.

Tony Pond and Jean‑Luc Thérier debuted the car in the World Championship at the 1978 Tour de Corse. But their ambitions were short‑lived: on the liaison section leading to the first special stage, between Bastia and Saint‑Florent, the cars lost their gearbox plugs, causing a complete oil drain and the retirement of both crews. Persistent rumours of sabotage were never proven.

Other renowned drivers later took turns at the wheel of the TR7 V8: Simo Lampinen, Timo Mäkinen, Roger Clark and Per Eklund. The latter achieved the best ever World Championship result for a TR7 V8 with a 3rd place at the 1980 Rally of the 1000 Lakes, while Tony Pond claimed four prestigious victories at the Manx Rally (1978, 1980) and the 24 Hours of Ypres (1978, 1980).

At the same time, the car established itself as a benchmark in North America thanks to John Buffum, national champion in 1980 and author of 33 overall victories over five seasons as a Triumph works driver, at the wheel of the TR7 and TR8.

The arrival of Group B then changed British Leyland’s direction, prompting the development of the Metro 6R4, while the Triumph brand had already been abandoned by the industrial empire in full decline.

Stéphane Poudrel, Triumph TR7 V8 driver since 2013: “In 2013, I wanted to move into historic rallying, but budgets were already skyrocketing. I found this Triumph in Belgium. While researching its history, I came across a statement from Jean‑Luc Thérier saying that not having taken its development to the end was one of his greatest regrets. That convinced me to buy it. This car is a bit of an extension of my personality: it has an atypical look, hardly anyone really knows it, but its potential is huge. I get a lot of pleasure driving it.”

John Buffum, Triumph works driver from 1977 to 1981: “The TR7 V8 was very effective and enjoyable to drive on fast gravel stages in the American championship. It had truck‑like torque, allowing you to link corners without changing gear. On the other hand, it lacked reliability at the beginning. That fragility permanently changed my driving style, making it smoother and cleaner. I drove it four times in the World Championship: at the RAC Rally in 1979, 1980 and 1981 (three retirements), as well as at the 1978 Critérium du Québec, where I finished 7th before being disqualified for setting off again without a helmet or seatbelt after losing a wheel.”