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Michel Vaillant-inspired Honda Art Car all set for its racing debut

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A Honda Civic touring car, carrying the livery which won the World Touring Car Championship’s art car project at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last month, will make its racing debut this weekend in the TCR Benelux series, driven by WTCC stalwart Tiago Monteiro, and the director of the Jean Graton Foundation Jean-Louis Dauger.

Dauger, also a keen racer away from his day duties, is also the former director of operations at Eurosport Events, running the WTCC along with Marcello Lotti during 2009-2013.

“We are very pleased to be giving the Honda Art Car Jean Graton its racing debut at Zandvoort,” said Dauger. “The response to the car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed was incredible and we’d like to thank everybody who voted for it to win the WTCC Art Car contest by showing it off in a dynamic way in TCR Benelux.

The Jean Graton studio is responsible for France’s most famous fictional motor racing star Michel Vaillant, which the inspiration behind the livery as well as the car’s racing number, 13.

“Michel Vaillant has had many incredible successes throughout his racing career and we’re aiming to add to that list this weekend,” added Dauger. “I will have an exceptional co-driver in Tiago Monteiro – one of the best drivers in touring car racing – and a great team in Boutsen-Ginion Racing preparing the car, so we are aiming high.”

Tiago Monteiro, currently second in the WTCC drivers’ standings after a popular win in front of his home crowd three weeks ago will make his second appearance in the TCR Benelux series, now paired with Dauger after racing with Stephane Lémeret at the season opener in Spa-Francorchamps.

“It’s really cool to be asked to drive the Honda Art Car Jean Graton at Zandvoort,” said Monteiro. “The car looks absolutely stunning and I’m sure we can have a strong result too. I already have experience of TCR Benelux after racing – and winning – at Spa-Francorchamps in May and I’m looking forward to having another go. The cars are fun to drive and I really like some of the elements of the weekend such as the fan vote for pole position – so don’t forget to vote for us! Zandvoort is a fantastic circuit with so much motorsport history – and it’s where I made my World Touring Car debut in 2007 too, so I have good memories of the place.”