Laon Historique Rally

**tomsredstratos** · 11-06-2023, 10:59

Hi All,

Unfortunately could not make the AGM as we had entered the Laon Historique Rally that weekend.

Meeting at a hotel in Ashford with the Hassle brothers and my friend in his 355F1 Spyder on Thursday evening. Before a 10.30 am Dover/Calais ferry the next day.
A quick drive down to the V2 Rocket Museum at Le Noir Cornet. A staggering feat of engineering and quite sobering to see the story of the labour used to build it.
After a couple of hours there, we continued the drive down to Laon. I rented a recently renovated house that slept 14! As there were six of us we had plenty of space, car parking, views etc. Rental property in that area is very cheap per night.

Saturday we set off after meeting at the old army barracks for a 95km run to Reims along some of the best roads I have ever driven. Some 950 cars in the rally running two different routes.
Everybody was staggered at the start, so we encountered no bunching up on the roads at all. What was so great to see was every village we went through the locals would be there to wave us through.
Lunch at the old Reims grandstands, that are currently being restored. Afternoon drive back to Laon with an afterparty in the evening.

Sunday is closed roads day in Laon town. 2pm sees the cars in a 15mph run around 8km of the town with crowds lining the streets all the way.

I have to say the preparation and organisation of this event is perfection. This was the 32^nd time of running at they have really got it right.

A thoroughly enjoyable 5 days.

Tom

**tomsredstratos** · 11-06-2023, 12:45

More rally pics

**Neil63** · 11-06-2023, 20:11

Tom
Pics are great and looks like a fabulous 5 days. I did the Tourist Route Champagne from Reims some years ago which included the old pits and grandstands on it, they were in need of saving 10years ago so great that they are being restored.(if that’s the same section)