Saturday April 16th: the 20^th edition of the Tour Auto ended on a high note on the shores of the Atlantic. As competition partner and official timekeeper, Audemars Piguet was also actively engaged in the race with six cars enrolled: four in the regularity category and two in the main competition. Apart from the Porsche 356 driven by Thibaud Guittard and Arnaud Vidal, which had to drop out on Thursday following mechanical problems, all the teams successfully reached Biarritz, the final destination of the Tour 2011, after five sunny days along the epic route running through Poitiers, Objat, Bordeaux and Pau.

Equipped with the Millenary Tour Auto Chronograph issued by the Manufacture in a limited edition especially for the Tour Auto 2011, the Team Audemars Piguet drivers and co-drivers proved a credit to this exceptional timepiece by posting excellent performances. Pierre Le Gloahec and Pierre Doize came second place in the performance index with their Jaguar Mk1, which was also racing on behalf of the Mécénat Chirugie Cardiaque (Cardiac Surgery Patronage) association. Also in the competition category, Philippe Liechti and Carolyn Twaites at the wheel of their Porsche 911 earned a remarkable ninth spot in the overall rankings.

The four teams enrolled in the regularity trial were able to make the most of the scenic route throughout the week, and particularly of a spectacular end to the rally along the roads in the Pyrenees. Aboard Jaguar XK120, AC Bristol, Alpine A110, Porsche 356 and 914/6 cars, they distinguished themselves in this 20^th edition by their enthusiasm and their fair-play, entirely in harmony with the Gentleman Driver spirit cherished by the Manufacture.

During the traditional final prize-giving evening, Arnaud Vidal, Managing Director of Audemars Piguet France, took the stage to present a prize to the winners of the competition and regularity categories, respectively Ludovic Caron in an AC Cobra and the John Ruston/Jeremy Haylock team at the wheel of a Porsche 356 Speedster.

Also present during this week was Wolfgang Sickenberg, Chief Sales Officer and Managing Director for Europe, who took the opportunity of the gala dinner to announce the new partnership between Audemars Piguet and the first edition of the Spa Classic to be held from May 27^th to 29^th 2011 – the brand’s next date with motor-racing collectors and enthusiasts.