Vaillante Cup 2026: Michel Vaillant Hits the French Circuits

In 2026, the universe of Michel Vaillant comes to life on French circuits with the Vaillante Cup. This brand-new championship will be integrated into the Trophée Protos of the FFSA French Circuits Cup and promoted by a French company based in the Gard, already known for organizing the Twin’Cup, a championship that has been running Twingos in competition for over 15 years 💪

This same structure does not just run the series: it also designs the cars, ensuring perfect consistency between regulations and technical aspects.

The goal is clear: to offer a lightweight, reliable, and accessible sports prototype, designed for driving pleasure and guaranteed to delight both gentlemen drivers and already experienced amateurs 😋

Also see: "Twin'Cup: low-budget car racing with Twingo"

The car: a sports prototype designed for driving pleasure

The Vaillante Cup prototype takes the recipe that made the Twin’Cup successful, adapting it to a sports prototype chassis:

• Chassis: tubular, entirely manufactured in France
• Suspension: directly inspired by the Twin’Cup
• ⚙️ Engine: Renault 1.6 L 16-valve with 145 hp, identical to the Twin’Cup, powered by bioethanol
• Gearbox: Twingo JB1052, 5-speed H-pattern
• ⚖️ Weight: around 530 kg
• Wheels: 13-inch with semi-slick tires (rain tires forbidden)
• 💶 Price: €18,900 excl. VAT, under condition of championship participation

This spec sheet promises a very favorable power-to-weight ratio and sharp handling. At this price point, there is no data acquisition system: the focus is on mechanical simplicity and driving skills 👌

➡️ See all sports prototype listings on GoToTheGrid

A distinctive design and mandatory livery

The Michel Vaillant spirit is also reflected in the aesthetics. The base livery will be mandatory, to reinforce the championship’s identity and ensure a consistent look on the grid. Spaces will however be available for personal sponsors, offering visibility to each competitor 👍

Conditions for purchasing the Vaillante Cup

The (very attractive) price of €18,900 excl. VAT comes with a commitment: the owner must participate in the Vaillante Cup championship, or at least in a few races. This condition ensures a full grid and avoids purely speculative purchases.

ℹ️ The car can of course be used in trackdays, but it cannot be entered in other championships such as TTE (Trophée Tourisme Endurance), hill climbs, or other FFSA series.

The championship: at the heart of the Trophée Protos

The Vaillante Cup will have its own category within the Trophée Protos, part of the FFSA French Circuits Cup.

📅 The 2026 calendar will include 8 events on renowned French circuits:

• 📍 Nogaro (February 28 – March 1)
• 📍 Dijon-Prenois (March 28 – 29)
• 📍 Pau Arnos (April 18 – 19)
• 📍 Croix-en-Ternois (May 23 – 24)
• 📍 Lédenon (June 20 – 21)
• 📍 Albi (September 12 – 13)
• 📍 Val de Vienne (October 3 – 4)
• 📍 Le Mans (November 7 – 8), highlighted by a 2-hour endurance race open to one or two drivers

If the format meets the expected success, 100% Vaillante Cup races could be organized in the future 😎

Also see: "Funyo - Accessible Racing Prototype"

An affordable prototype and transparent costs

The organizer announces a rental cost of around €4,500 excl. VAT per event, covering entry fee, fuel, wear, support, and logistics. At this price level, no prize money or end-of-year awards are planned: the goal is not to create a professional ladder but to offer a simple, friendly, and financially accessible discipline 👌

An experience between comic book and competition

The Vaillante Cup is more than a spec sheet. Inspired by the cult comic book Michel Vaillant, it embodies a spirit of pure fun and paddock atmosphere. The car’s look, reminiscent of Le Mans prototypes, enhances the immersion and conviviality of race weekends.

Michel Vaillant: when fiction enters real tracks

From comic books to paddocks, the Michel Vaillant universe has already crossed the border between fiction and reality several times. In 2003, the film Michel Vaillant directed by Louis-Pascal Couvelaire, starring Sagamore Stévenin and Diane Kruger, was partly shot during the 2002 24 Hours of Le Mans, where real “Vaillante” and “Leader” cars took the start for the needs of the scenario 🎥

Even earlier, in 1997, a Courage-Vaillante prototype raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the saga, finishing an impressive 4th overall. In 2017, the Swiss team Rebellion Racing revived the adventure with two Vaillante Rebellion prototypes entered in LMP2 in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), winning the world title in the category 🏆

The fictional brand has also inspired real road cars, such as the Vaillante Grand Défi, a sports coupé presented at the 1999 Paris Motor Show and produced in a small series for a unique championship. Concept cars, show cars, and exhibitions complete this original track record. The upcoming Vaillante Cup 2026 thus fits into a tradition already well established: that of a comic book hero constantly driving between imagination and real competition.

Conclusion: a new gateway to sports prototypes

With its tight price, turnkey organization, and well-thought-out national calendar, the Vaillante Cup 2026 looks set to be an excellent opportunity for gentlemen drivers or amateurs seeking authentic sensations behind the wheel of a race prototype 🔥

The organizer, already behind the success of the Twin’Cup, puts its experience at the service of a project likely to attract far beyond Michel Vaillant fans and further energize the Trophée Protos within the French Circuits Cup. It remains to be seen how many drivers will take the plunge in the first season, but one thing is certain: the Vaillante Cup is already making a lot of noise. Stay tuned! 👀

ℹ️ A big thank you to the series organizer and the Vaillante teams for their exchanges during the writing of this article. ➡️ Check out the official Vaillante Cup website.