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WRC Star Thierry Neuville Triumphs in Historic Circuit Racing Debut
Highlights
- Thierry Neuville debuted in historic circuit racing at Imola Classic
- He drove Ford Escort RS1600 and BMW M3 E30 in Heritage Tourers
- Neuville and partner won first race in their 1972-1981 class
- Retired from second race due to technical issues after one lap
- Secured class pole with Escort and second with M3 in qualifying
- Plans to race more classic endurance events after reducing WRC activities
Thierry Neuville makes his historic circuit racing debut at the Imola Classic. He wins his class in race one and retires from race two.
Competing in the Heritage Touring Car Cup, he swaps his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 for a Ford Escort RS1600 and a BMW M3 E30.
The field includes BTCC names Jake Hill, Steve Soper, and Rob Huff, providing a robust benchmark for Neuville’s pace and racecraft.
Neuville and historic racing regular Raphael de Borman share the Ford Escort. Despite a gold driver penalty, they manage the first hour-long race to win the 1972–1981 class.
Commanding class win with the Ford Escort RS1600 despite a gold driver penalty
His BMW M3 E30 lasts only one lap in race two due to a technical issue, cutting short a well-executed weekend.
Preparation underpins the outcome. Two Thursday tests help him learn Imola and sample the M3 for the first time, before Friday and Saturday focus on setup work.
The approach yields class pole with the Escort and second in class with the BMW, indicating a quick grasp of both cars’ operating windows.
Qualifying return: class pole in the Escort, P2 in class with the BMW M3 E30
The cameo also signals a broader programme. Neuville expresses interest in more classic endurance outings as he balances rally priorities.
Any expanded schedule will hinge on the shape of the FIA’s 2027 WRC rules and the emerging 2027 calendar.
Race two ends after a single lap when a technical problem stops the BMW M3 E30
Measured against seasoned touring car specialists, his pace and execution look credible. LifeLive Motorsport’s support and the paddock environment accelerate his learning curve.
For a driver defined by stage rallies, this outing underlines adaptable fundamentals that should translate to longer classic races. The next step is frequency, not feasibility.
Visual Summary
NEUVILLE
goes from WRC champ to classic circuit winner!
goes from WRC champ to classic circuit winner!
🏆
CLASS WIN
CLASS WIN
Ford Escort RS1600
P1 (1972–81)
Heritage Cup, Race 1
P1 (1972–81)
Heritage Cup, Race 1
Imola debut
💔
EARLY RETIREMENT
EARLY RETIREMENT
BMW M3 E30
Exit after 1 Lap (Race 2)
Technical issue
Exit after 1 Lap (Race 2)
Technical issue
Thierry Neuville‘s first taste of classic circuit racing at Imola: rapid adaption, pole, class victory,
and a crowd-stopping debut against touring car legends.
“Loved every moment! Ready for more classic races,” — Neuville
and a crowd-stopping debut against touring car legends.
“Loved every moment! Ready for more classic races,” — Neuville
Zane Muniz writes across NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, IMSA, NHRA, and dirt-racing news. His breaking-news alerts and event previews ensure motorsport fans never miss a lap, drift, or drag-strip showdown.
