Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4 rally car at full noise

Amongst the countless Peugeots, Renaults, and Citroens present at the 2017 Rallye du Var was this, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT4.

Its roar was easily a highlight, documented by several videos dedicated to following the sounds of the British belter around the various stages of the French rally.

Behind the wheel was French rally driver and former WRC competitor François Delecour.

Though the 55-year-old essentially ended his two-decade-long WRC career in 2002, he has continued to race regularly over the last 15 years.

And this year, he broke out a V8 Vantage GT4 to be his weapon of choice for the Rallye du Var 2017.

While V8-engined cars used to be a pretty common sight on rally all over the world – especially in the Group B days – the sight of an Aston blasting down a narrow strip of tarmac in 2017 is an unexpected sight.

In fact, it was the only V8 to compete in the event.

But its extra cylinders didn’t necessarily result in a better run for the Vantage. In fact, Delecour finished 19th overall in the Rallye du Var, though that was out of 115 finishers.

The man can clearly drive, and the on-board video above is a good bit of evidence to support that.

Unfortunately for Delecour, Skoda Fabias, Ford Fiestas, and Peugeot 208s all appear to be more suited to rallying. Who’d have thought?

Still, we have a lot of respect for someone who can wrangle a much larger V8 through the woods, all while bringing the joyous sounds of the 4.7-litre bent eight to the people. Enjoy!