After an unprecedented nine months, we were finally back at a racing track last weekend to cover the 2020 Dix Mille Tours. The annual event had originally been scheduled for April but the global COVID-19 pandemic had forced to find new dates. Fortunately, with the the required precautions but without public, the three-day meeting could take place without a hiccup at the Paul Ricard track. Despite these difficult times, organiser Peter Auto managed to attract 360 historic racing cars to the meeting. Spread over ten different grids, they were on track almost non-stop through the weekend. Among the many highlights were the Sixties' Endurance race into the sunset, the bumper Endurance Racing Legends field and seeing Gérard Larrousse back behind the wheel of a Porsche 917.
We were fortunate to be allowed into the track as well and made the most of our time at the Circuit du Castellet. This has resulted in this class-by-class 210-shot gallery, which serves to illustrate our concise report.

California based auctioneer Gooding have released the full lot list of the upcoming Geared Online sale. The 75 lots will open for bidding on August 3rd at 9 am PST and will close again four days later at 9 pm PST. Gooding's first online-only sale offers an eclectic mix of machinery that includes this Porsche 911 ST Rally as one of the highlights. It is one of five STs built for the 1971 East Africa Safari Rally with a stronger shell and increased ride height. The consigned example was one of a pair of trainingwagen, and was not actually used in the rally. This may explain why it has actually survived. Benefitting from a recent restoration, it should sell for around $1 million.
Due to set a new record for a car sold at an online-only auction is this Ferrari 275 GTB. One of the very last two-cam 275 GTBs built, it is fitted a six-carburettor intake system, a torque tube and an external fuel filler cap. Even more importantly, chassis 08921 has survived in a lovely original condition. Gooding estimate, this fabulous Ferrari should sell for $2.75 - $3.25 million.
Very much a California car is this Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, which was delivered new with Rudge wheels and a Fire Engine Red finish. It is believed to be one of the last if not the last unrestored Gullwing with the factory-fitted and highly desirable knock-off wheels. The estimate for the 300 SL is set accordingly at $1.2 - $1.4 million.

Historic racing on the European continent is about to re-start with the Dix Mille Tours du Castellet that is scheduled for this weekend. To get you even more in the mood, we have taken a closer look at three interesting racing cars that have raced in the event in the past.
Also due to compete this weekend is this Ferrari 250 GT SWB Competizione, which was originally delivered to a German gentleman racer. It had an extensive period racing career in Germany with a class win at the 1962 Nurburgring 1000 km as the highlight. Now in British hands, chassis 1917GT became a regular in the Greatest's Trophy.
Seen at the Dix Mille Tours in 2019 was this Porsche 911 GT2 Evo 2. Now in Freisinger colours, it was originally raced as the Peter Klasen art car in the French FFSA GT Championship. After it was crashed and replaced with a new car, it was repaired and raced at Le Mans by Freisinger in 2000. Still in its Le Mans colours, chassis ZWS393002 was also campaigned at the 2018 Le Mans Classic.
Rarest of the cars featured today is undoubtedly this Olmas GLT 2000, which was a one-off. Built in Italy to compete in the 1988 Group C2 championship, it is a sophisticated machine that ultimately lacked time to get properly developed. Fortunately, the unique car has survived and starred at Dix Mille Tours last year and will be action again during the next couple of days.

The latest online-only sale organised by RM Sotheby's is the Open Roads, European Auction. The sale opened for bidding last week and lots will close tomorrow and on Wednesday. Among the star lots are those consigned by the Richoz Collection. Among them is this 275 GTB, which was sold new to Switzerland early in 1966. It was one of the rare examples fitted with an alloy body and was originally finished in Rosso Rubino or ruby red. Acquired by the late Edgar Richoz in 2004, 08193 is estimated to sell for €1.7 - 1.9 million.
Richoz was an avid racer during the 1970s and his collection also included several interesting racing cars. The most colourful of these machines was this Inaltera GTP. It was one of three cars built by Jean Rondeau to race at Le Mans in 1976. This particular example was a T-car at Le Mans in 1976 but then raced at Daytona and Le Mans in 1977. Chassis 001 was acquired directly from Rondeau by Richoz at the end of 1977, so it is offered on the public market for the first time in its life.
The Delta S4 is one of the most iconic rally cars and this example was campaigned by the works team in the equally iconic Martini colours. Markku Alén drove it to second in the Lombard RAC Rally at the end of 1985. It was then raced by privateers between 1986 and 1988 in rallies and autocross events. Delta S4 #207 has since been restored to its original colours and can be yours for around €900,000.

Mercedes-AMG have revealed the sixth 'Black Series' model in the form of the GT Black Series. True to the previous five cars that wore this badge, this is a hardcore version of the highly acclaimed GT. Compared to the 'standard' GT, it features competition inspired revisions to the chassis, suspension and exterior. Crucially, the GT Black Series boasts a comprehensively revised version of the twin-turbo V8. It now features a flat-plane crank and at 720bhp is the most powerful engine fitted to a Mercedes-AMG production road car.
The introduction of new 992-generation versions of the Porsche 911 continues with the launch of the Turbo. It's 3.8-litre engine is considerably more powerful than that of its predecessor, which makes the new 911 Turbo almost as fast as the Turbo S of the previous 991-generation model. Porsche have only revealed images of the Coupé variant but a Cabriolet is also available with identical specs.
German manufacturer Audi have ditched the TDI engines in the SQ7 and SQ8 in favour of the latest petrol twin-turbo V8. The innovative engine features turbos mounted inside the V and produces 500bhp.
Hot on the heels of the highly anticipated Ford Bronco launch this week, Saleen have released a first teaser of their interpretation of the Bronco. It is inspired by 'Big Oly', which was the racing Bronco that Parnelli Jones took to back-to-back Baja wins in 1971 and 1972.
In a pre-emptive strike to the Bronco launch, Jeep revealed the Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept. As the name suggests, it is powered by a 392 cubic-inch or 6.4 litre V8. When the 450bhp will enter production, it will be the first time since the 1980s that the Jeep Wrangler is available with a V8.

In recent months car auctions have been online only. Next week, French specialist company Artcurial will return to normal operations with their Monaco sale. The live auction will be on Tuesday, July 21st and prospective buyers can view the lots in person in the days leading up to the sale.
The most valuable consignment is this Pagani Huayra Roadster. The 98th of 100 built, the consigned example was delivered new to the French Cote d'Azur. It features striking livery that combines white with red accents inside and out. Still with delivery miles, the virtually brand new Huayra Roadsster is estimated to sell for €2.5 - 3 million.
Consigned from the same Swedish Ferrari collection are a 488 Pista and 488 Pista Spider. The two high performance machines were delivered through Ferrari's agent in Malmo to the climate controlled garage of the current owner. They were barely used since then and like the Huayra Roadster are virtually in as new condition.

The latest limited production Lamborghini is this Sian Roadster announced last night. As the name suggests, it is the open version of the Sian announced last year. It combines Lamborhgini's howling naturally aspirated V12 engine with a mild hybrid system that features a 48v electric motor. The system output is 819 hp, which helps propel the Sian Roadster to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds and on to a 350 km/h top speed. Just 19 examples of the strikingly styled Lamborghini will be built and each one has already been spoken for.
Lamborghini's parent company Audi offers a further peak at the future this week with the Q4 Sportback e-tron concept. It offers a clear indication what the production version of the all-electric Q4 Sportback will look like. It will be fitted with a choice of motors with the most powerful featuring two motors good for just over 300 hp, whereas the rear-wheel drive only version will have a range of over 500 km/h.
We have a soft spot for Chevrons and one of the great examples is the B21 sports racer. Developed from the B19, it was built for the 1972 European 2-Litre Championship. The example highlighted today was sold new to a Swiss privateer racer. It was fielded only a handful of times before it was modified to be fitted with a Tecno engine. The flat-eight proved troublesome, and was never fitted. The remains of the car were eventually sold to the current custodian, who had B21-72-25 meticulously restored to race winning condition.

This weekend was Independence Day in the United States and that inspired us to take a closer look at four American sports racers. The earliest of the quartet is this very rare Ford GT Roadster. One of four built, it was the only open GT(40) raced at Le Mans. It was later owned for many years by custom car designer Dean Jeffries. In more recent years, GT/109 has been carefully restored and was shown at a Pebble Beach in 2006.
The least known car featured today is most definitely the Corvette ZR1 that was raced at Le Mans in 1995. Very much a privateer effort, it was developed by Doug Ripple Motorsports. Built to compete in the GT1 class, it was no match for the McLaren F1 GTRs and eventually retired with a broken engine. The unique Corvette ZR1 racer is today in Swiss hands.
Altogether more successful at Le Mans were the Dodge Vipers. The chassis highlighted here made one appearance at Le Mans but spent most of its career in the FIA GT, Belcar and FFSA GT championships. Pressed back into service by its current owner, Viper GTS-R C39 wears the same colours as it did at Le Mans back in 2002.
That same year, the British GT Championship was won by Tommy Erdos and Ian McKellar, piloting this Saleen S7-R. The pairing took a vey impressive eight victories in the Graham Nash Motorsport fielded machine. Later in its career, 015R also competed in the FIA GT Championship and the Le Mans Series.

Maserati have released the full details of the engine that is due to power the upcoming MC20. Developed in-house, it is a twin-turbo V6 with a three-litre displacement. Weighing just 220 kg, it is good for just over 620 bhp.
Just like Maserati, BMW are keen to create a buzz about their upcoming models by releasing pictures with camouflaged pre-production cars. In this case the soon to be released BMWs are the M3 Saloon and the closely related M4 Coupe. Due to be revealed properly in mid-September, both will be powered by a 480 hp six-cylinder engine and features a six-speed manual with rear-wheel drive. A competition version with 510 hp, eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive will also be available.
Due to their desire to continue testing without the burden of camouflage, Ineos Automotive have released the first pictures of the exterior of the upcoming Grenadier off-roader. Inspired by the demise of the Land Rover Defender, it is a no-nonsense machine that is the brainchild of one of Britain's most wealthy individuals. The development work is done by Magna Steyr, who also built the G-Class for Mercedes-Benz, and it will be powered by a BMW-sourced engine. Once testing is completed, the Grenadier should be ready to hit the road in 2021.
Peugeot, meanwhile, have provided us with a further inside into the upcoming 208 Rally 4. Set to make its competitive debut, the compact rally car is powered by a tiny three-cylinder engine that is still good for an appropriate 208 horsepower.