We all know the famous french collector Pierre Bardinon, owner of fabulous dozens of Ferrari and track "Mas du clos". His collection is really fantastic. I could visit it in 1987 and in 2000. But he sold a lot of cars (330 TRI LM for example) and I don't know how much (and which ) cars he still owns. Does anybody have information ? Here in France, we had the bad new regarding this track, as explained in attached (french) paper: the track could not be used any more because it is not able to comply with latest safety regulation (of course, it was built 40 years ago...). 2 millions euros are necessary to make it comply with the norms. We 'll see what will happen, but it would be very sad to see such a beautiful track not used any more. thanks for all your informations , Image Unavailable, Please Login
sad to hear about the circuit closure i dont read french (anyone fancy giving us a translation) so what exactly are they asking to be done ??
New safety rules will require 2m Euros of work and the Bardinon do not want to comit to it as those rules should only be appliable to competition tracks.
i was actually trying to edit my post (wont let me as youve quoted it i think) to say "sad to hear about the circuit closure ive never heard of proper racing actually happening there, just track days etc. i dont read french (anyone fancy giving us a translation) so what exactly are they asking to be done and whats no longer allowed." frankly its ridiculous to make a private circuit hold to the same rules as competitive ones - yes it should be in good condition (and you should see the state of some of the locations used over here for private events) but again we seem to have a case of the pc police gone mad
As you mention, it is ridiculous. On this track, you are right, only track days, press events, Ferrari clubs races... take place. No big accident happens during 40 years. I did one lap in a 348 challenge on this track: it is really a very nice track, nice curves (slow, medium, fast). We will see how this story goes on...
before and follow pics http://brunodaytona67.canalblog.com/albums/ferrari__sports__grand_tourismes_et_monoplaces/photos/11719076-collection_de_p_bardinon__le_mas_du_clos_1987.html http://brunodaytona67.canalblog.com/albums/ferrari__granturimo_competition/photos/15940002-1964_250_gto_64_mas_du_clos_bardinon_1.html de quand date cet article?
il date de cette année Bruno :-(, à première vu les Bardinon avaient trouvés une solution avec la piste pour 4x4 mais même cette piste n'est pas sûre d'être construite :-(
The underlinig concern at Mas du Clos has always been that the French government would nationalize the collection and the track. This concern became hightened when the Schlumpf collection was taken over by a socialist government. I guess this a real concern? The Jacque Seton Collection is gone isn't it?
I highly doubt there are concernsnowadays with a nationalisation of the Mas du Clos collection. Setton sold his collection apparently because he wanted a new life on his boat.
I had the fantastic pleasure to see the Jaques Seton collection in the late 80's and get rides in some of his Ferrari's on his private track. It was during the Paris Air Show where Fiat had a private dinner party at his estate. Unbelievable setting and collection of masterpieces. Going from the 1st to second floor of his "Stable" he had a boxer engine totally apart and laid out on black velvet under spotlights. Stunning. I still have the video given out as a parting gift.
I visited his collection also when i was 5/6 with the Ferrari Club France. I read his wife is the reason he changed his lifestyle. Must be quite the woman !
Nothing to do with 'socialist' tactics - The Schlumpf collection was taken by the French government to pay taxes owed (the Schlumf brothers had been rather 'creative' with their tax returns and had fled elsewhere [Switzerland?] when they realised they were in big trouble ) - at least the government has made the cars accessible to be viewed by the public (which they weren't when the Schlumf brothers had them) If Bardinon is on the right side of the law (and the taxman) he shouldn't have the same problems. Jeremy
I remember his collection from a Dutch televisionprogram during the mid eighties. In what Ferrari´s did you get to drive?
We got rides with his test drivers who did a few hot laps in each car. I recall a 166 barcetta, a 250 and others that fade in my memory. It was quite a party. We were all pretty loose on adult drinks.
Pierre Bardinon's cars (amongst others, not counting the Bugattis and other stuff like Jaguar E-type lightweight) as of today. _ 375 MM Berlinetta PF 1954 #0368 _ 375 Plus 1954 #0396 (1954 Le Mans winner). _ 335 S/315 S (the "Super Testa-Rossa") 1957 #0674 _ 250 Testa-Rossa 1958 #0728 (1958 Le Mans winner). _ 250 GT-SWB "Paso-Corto" 1961 #2737GT (1961 "Tour de France" winner). _ 250 GTO 1964 (one of the three real ones) #5573GT. _ 250 LM 1964 (red with babyblue stripes) #5841GT. _ 275 P 1964 #0816 (1964 Le Mans winner). _ 330 P4 1967 #0860 _ 312 P CanAm 1969 (now as a coupé) #0870. _ 312 PB barchetta 1972 #0884. _ 125/166 F2 Corsa 1948-1950 #06C _ 312 F1 1970 #001 _ 312 B2 1971 #007 And also modern stuff like a 456GT, a 550 Maranello, an F-50, an Enzo (was red, sold. Now yellow as it seems a new one was bought). Hope this helps. Regards. EDIT/ : Now considering our new Prime Minister François Fillon is killing is free time doing hobbies like running the 24th Hours of Le Mans in a Ferrari 250SWB or in a Lola T-70, I feel we can have some hope for the MDC track.