Trans-Europe Group 1 Saloon Series, late 70's?

[chunterer]

Thumbing through some archives the other day I came across reference to a Diners Club sponsored Trans-Europe series for Group 1 saloon cars that ran in the late 70's and possibly into the early 80's.

All I could see that was TWR's BMW 530 which was uncompetitive in Britain due to its weight benefited from a loophole in the regs (then as now eh??!!!!) and won a round of this series that supported the TT at Silverstone in 1978.

But was it a sprint or enduro series for example?

So a thread for further background to this series, champions, winners, general chat about the kinds of competitors and cars that entered it etc..

Fire away!!

[glyn parham]

Are you thinking of the Coupe de Lavenir (spelling!) by any chance chunterer, if so Frankd de Jong will be the best person to ask about this series.

Glyn

[chunterer]

Glyn let's hope he reads this and starts posting some info

I'm not sure if it was known by any other name, the series name in this thread title is all I found.

[Frank de Jong]

The series started out as Trophe de l'avenir from 1974, IIRC it was changed to TTE in 1976.
I have a reasonable account of 1975, but from then on the series was a well-kept secret. Most rounds were nothing but local cars and drivers, with th odd international entry.
There's some info on my site, the next update has results of the 1978 Spa 24 hours and the Nürburgring round; I may have something on Zolder as well. If anyone has info on the UK round (at the TT meeting - I now seem to learn that it was won by a BMW?) I'd be happy.

[chunterer]

Thanks Frank, that's given us a little more background to go on, particularly before the year I came across; 1978.

From memory the BMW was prep'd and driven by Walkinshaw (the Pentax BTCC car in fact) and was considerably lighter than allowed to run in the Tricentrol series, hence increased competitiveness. I think there was reference to Gordon Spice winning the big class (presumably one of his red Capri's?) and an Escort RS2000 took the smaller division but not sure of the driver?

I'll have a look back at the info I found and see if it pans out a bit more, maybe someone can dig out the 1978 TT Programme and have a look at the entry?

Overall this Series is clearly a subject well worth discussing.