60 years of Citroën Sport: the Hélice Galerie exhibition is extended!

Jérémy
3 hours ago
3 min read

Since June 2nd, Citroën has been showcasing 27 of its most iconic racing cars at the Hélice Galerie in Flin. Originally set to close this February, the exhibition has been extended until December 11th—a perfect opportunity for those who missed it to discover a stunning and passionate automotive heritage.

A rich and captivating legacy

To announce the extension, Citroën invited several media outlets, including Passionnément Citroën, to rediscover 60 years of Citroën Sport alongside the legends who built it. Iconic drivers, co-drivers, and team principals were there to share their stories right next to the legendary cars. While Citroën celebrates its 107th anniversary this year, the brand has been a powerhouse in motorsport for six decades, a journey that continues today in Formula E.

Throughout these decades of high-level competition, Citroën has produced numerous exceptional models, now beautifully displayed in this 1,100 m² hall. From the early racing DS models to the latest electric single-seater, these 27 legendary cars bear witness to the brand’s extraordinary sporting DNA.

A growing commitment to motorsport

Citroën’s involvement grew progressively. In the early days, the brand shone with the DS, SM, and CX, before moving to the famous Group B BX in rallying and Rallycross—though without a full international structure yet. Everything truly changed in the early 90s when Citroën entered Rally-Raid with the ZX. It defined an era through its six evolutions, which, for me, remain the most beautiful and legendary Citroën race cars. Seeing all six ZX Rally-Raids lined up, from the very first to the 1992 Paris-Moscow-Peking winner, was a deeply moving experience.

Citroën also left an indelible mark on the WRC with the unbeatable Xsara, C4, DS3, and C3 WRC. In 20 years, the brand secured 102 victories—a record for that period. After a golden era in WTCC, Citroën briefly returned to WRC before focusing on "customer racing" with the Rally 2 category, selling over 140 C3 Rally 2 cars worldwide. The exhibition ends with the Formula E challenger, marking Citroën’s return to a major international championship since December 2025. Fun fact: this car won its second-ever E-Prix in Mexico, just like the DS3 WRC won its first-ever rally in Mexico. A sign of things to come? We certainly hope so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIibuQGifjo

A visit with the legends of Citroën Sport

Walking through the aisles and listening to Guy Fréquelin is like traveling back in time with the man who turned Citroën into a winning machine. He shared the humorous story of his "recruitment" by Jean Todt in 1989: Todt called to offer him a seat for the Dakar, then, just before hanging up, asked if he knew anyone to replace the departing head of Citroën Sport. Fréquelin’s reply was instant: "Let me think... It’s me!". Thus, the modern era of the brand was born.

I also learned fascinating secrets about my beloved ZX Rally-Raids: did you know that on the final versions, mechanics had to start the engines every two hours, day and night? The tolerances were so tight that if the engine block cooled down too much, the materials would contract, making it impossible to restart! We also honored Marlène Coton, who in 1971 became the first woman to lead a major manufacturer's racing department. These behind-the-scenes stories turn every car on display into an open book of human ingenuity.

Conclusion

En conclusion, cette exposition vaut le détour pour tout passionné d’automobile et, bien sûr, pour tout Citroëniste. La marque a non seulement marqué l’histoire avec ses modèles de série, mais son palmarès en compétition est l’un des plus beaux au monde. Du Rallye-Raid à la Formula E, ces 27 voitures permettent de se remémorer des succès qui nous ont rendus fiers. Je ne peux que vous inciter à vous rendre à l'Hélice Galerie pour découvrir cet hommage vibrant. Avoir pu partager ce moment avec Guy Fréquelin et Yves Matton fut une chance unique de revivre, à travers leurs yeux, l'une des plus belles épopées du sport automobile.

Conclusion

This exhibition is a must-see for any car enthusiast and, of course, for every Citroëniste. From Rally-Raid to Formula E, these 27 cars allow us to relive the successes that have made us proud over the years. I highly encourage you to visit Hélice Galerie to discover this vibrant tribute. Sharing this moment with Guy Fréquelin and Yves Matton was a unique chance to experience one of motorsport’s greatest epics through their eyes.