News from France

[dupanton]

The new Ragnottii? Amazing driving from this Poizot fellow! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_VjJQ3Hl_k

Comparing him with Ragnotti is an insult for Ragnotti...
He is spectacular, but he isn't that fast (not slow neither)

[Mirek]

He was waaaaaaay slower than top 2WD drivers like Cédric Robert so You are right. This is for sure no new Ragnotti.

[Rally Power]

Comparing him with Ragnotti is an insult for Ragnotti...

For sure Mr. Ragnotti can happily handle an ‘insult’ like this…Poizot has been noticed in France for his speed and flamboyant style, even if Rouerge was only his 3rd major rally (alongside two Monte Carlo).

His times in Rouerge weren’t that great, but checking ewrc and some French sites one can see that besides collecting class wins in smaller national or regional rallys, Poizot was on the fight for WRC3 at this year Monte Carlo, finishing third. Not bad for a 21 years old guy, with no motorsport experience before start rallying three years ago.

Who knows, maybe we’ll hear more of him in a near future, maybe not. Meanwhile, best luck to him!

https://www.rallye-sport.fr/video-show-thibaut-poizot-monte-carlo-2017/
https://www.rallye-sport.fr/thibaut-poizot-jeune-progresse-vite/

[sanglier usapiste]

Hello everyone here are some pictures of the rally of the rouergue. With a Haydon paddon fault at the first corner and a thibaut Poizot very hot


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp0fIzbBP9A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sd4bATocxA


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cRTUTKqAos

[Rally Power]

Nice videos sanglier! Btw, any special reason for Poizot not being as fast as usual in Rouerge?

[dimviii]

sanglieeeeeeeerrrr!!!!

[JTGANG]

Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine today-tomorrow 6th round of French Tarmac.....Results here

https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/37018-rallye-mont-blanc-morzine-2017/

[Mirek]

Any idea why the results of SS1 are so crazy? Weather?

[Fly]

Any idea why the results of SS1 are so crazy? Weather?

Yes, weather.

From Facebook official championnat de France:

Au terme de cette première spéciale très piégeuse (coulées d'eau), c'est Jérémi Ancian (Ford Fiesta R5) qui réalise le meilleur temps devant Lionel Baud (DS 3 WRC) et Patrick Rouillard (Porsche 997 GT3 Cup) !
��️ Début de rallye difficile pour Franck Lions (DS 3 WRC, amortisseur cassé), Eric Mauffrey (Peugeot 208T16, tête à queue puis petite sortie de route) et Matthieu Margaillan (Skoda Fabia R5, tête à queue)...

Roughly: After this first tricky stage (water), Ancien setting fastest time in front of Baud and Rouillard.
Tough start for Lions (broken damper), Mauffrey (spin + small off) and Margaillan (spin)

Bonato was in trouble (tyre choice??)

[dimviii]

Stéphane au départ du Rallye Le Béthunois avec une DS*3 WRC*

https://stephane-lefebvre.com/stephane-au-depart-du-rallye-le-bethunois-avec-une-ds-3-wrc/

[Rally Power]

Bonato is leading Rallye Cour de France, in a close fight with Roche (Fiesta WRC). Giordano is 3rd. News and times here: https://www.rallye-sport.fr/es7-coeur-de-france-2017/

[Rally Power]

Congrats to Bonato and Boulloud; they’re the new French champs after taking their 4th win in the season. Giordano finished 2nd, ahead of local 911 driver Cosson. A broken cardan took Roche any chance to fight Bonato. Rallye Cour de France was a new event to the series and apparently a well succeeded bet from FFSA.
FFSA TV videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBmMk2W_47k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IBej_Hr8j4

[dupanton]

Sad news from France with the death of Anthony Mora, who crashed with a 208 R5 at a local rally, Rallye de Sarlat.

[Mirek]

Sad news, it was a big frontal crash
http://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/nouvelle-aquitaine/sites/regions_france3/files/styles/top_big/public/assets/images/2017/10/08/rallye_10-3300617.jpg?itok=Q15iLdB4

[nafpaktos]

The codriver sustained serious injuries?

[dupanton]

The codriver sustained serious injuries?

No injuries, just in shock (which is strange imo)

[Mirek]

In a crash like this it's often about luck, about some small mistake (like loose seatbelts) or even about things like for example some internal surgery few weeks before bad crash (such tragic accident happened here few years back). Also physical condition is very very important. A beer belly compared to strong muscles make huge difference in such crash.

[nafpaktos]

Not a lot o things can be said.

http://www.ledauphine.com/savoie/2017/10/14/plus-de-300-personnes-pour-dire-adieu-a-alison-et-romain

[nafpaktos]

ewrc-results.com
12 Οκτωβρίου στις 1:18 μ.μ. ·
Maybe you heard this, Alison Josserand and Romain Mercuri sadly died in a french regional rally this week-end. They left a child behind them, called Ezio, only 13 months. Someone decided to create a "pot commun" which consists to raise funds for this little boy. If you would like to donate some, you can still here: https://www.lepotcommun.fr/pot/u7on1nns
Already more than 36 000 euros has been raised, what a family we are! ;-)

[dupanton]

This weekend there was the final of the "Coupe de France". For those who don't know how it works: during the year, every driver can take points in the local rallies in France. The best drivers (so with most points) per region can then participate in the "Final". Every year this is a different rally in a different region.

A lot of talented drivers who "missed" their careers where there. Arzeno won in front of Consani and Santoni. In total, there were 229 cars at the start!

https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/36249-finale-de-la-coupe-de-france-des-rallyes-marseille-2017/

[Rally Power]

With Bonato in Wales, Rossel, the other DS3 R5 French WRC2 driver, managed to win this weekend Criterium des Cevennes. It was Rossel first win on the series and on his home rally. Martin (Fabia R5) fought for the win during the first stages, but lost 3m with a puncture; he ended 4th, behind the Fabias of Gal and Roche.
https://www.rallye-sport.fr/es9-cevennes-2017/

[dimviii]

Loeb testing for Var.Co driver Elena,maybe prova generale for 2018?

https://twitter.com/planetemarcus/status/927506168494411778

https://twitter.com/planetemarcus/status/927513527803408385

[dimviii]

Loeb testing for Var with 306 maxi
https://youtu.be/HbTq9QSnwho

https://youtu.be/wcY93FVHtVQ

[dimviii]

Panizzi at Var with 208 r5
http://latulasport.es/index.php/nacional-sp-459556403/francia/9320-gilles-panizzi-vuelve-al-rallye-du-var-con-un-peugeot-208-r5

[dimviii]

Also Delecour at Var with Aston
https://youtu.be/74VaFpfqjyM

[Tom206wrc]

Superb livery for the Citroën C3 R5 Yoann Bonato will drive in Var !!! :cool:
http://www.rallye-sport.fr/bonato-confirme-officiellement-avec-la-c3-r5/

[dupanton]

Entrylist Rallye du Var, last rally of the French championship
https://www.rallye-sport.fr/liste-engages-rallye-var-2017/

Great entrylist!

[Tom206wrc]

Simply amazing this entrylist :D
I'm really glad it attracts so many foreign drivers too :)


Now can Loeb beat the "R5 army" ???? :bounce:

[dimviii]

Bonato testing for Var

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPKHzfRXcAIhgTu.jpg

[dimviii]

some new photos with c3 r5 testing for Var

http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_11_2017/post-4717-0-61422400-1511349639.jpg
http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_11_2017/post-4717-0-86273400-1511349677.jpg
http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_11_2017/post-4717-0-47082700-1511349706.jpg

[TWRC]

Car with full livery:
https://scontent.fbud4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23755037_10155310665066478_4771195602789580168_n.j pg?oh=85a8ddcffda7bf76694fde2acdba35e2&oe=5A9EC5E5
https://scontent.fbud4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/23795602_10155310665071478_8481198352115089386_n.j pg?oh=c5d81d784804f0ef88042761dfff3fb2&oe=5A8BDE4A

[dimviii]

Loeb at Var shakedown
https://youtu.be/wjlJtq_4d-w

https://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/6748201IMG0908.jpg
https://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/3001531IMG1061.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPViNgUWAAE-3Cy.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPViNgLWAAEJPMB.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPViNgMW4AAvpZZ.jpg

[dimviii]

shakedown video https://youtu.be/g5tu_fstmvs

[Munkvy]

How is it that the R5 car and livery is so much better than the WRC car?!

[JUF]

Mathieu Arzeno leading after three stages, Sébastien Loeb third: https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/37022-rallye-du-var-2017/

Hugo Margaillan is an excellent fifth. Is anyone able to tell me more about him? Is he related to Mathieu Margaillan? How old is he? Is there a chance to see him in WRC soon?

[Rally Power]

Margailland is 21 and was second on this year French Junior Champ’ship using a Fiesta R2J (FFSA ‘light’ junior version). Var is his first experience on a more powerful car. Apparently he’s using Bonato’s DS3, as they are serviced by the same team (CHL).

Amazing times from Loeb; it wasn’t obvious a 306 Maxi could match top R5’s. Only 3 stages so far and less than 20s between P1 and P8, but Arzeno, Michel and Loeb are slightly ahead of competition. Dumas is on a class of his own in RGT; nice fight for P2 between Ciamin (first time on the 124) Delecour and Rouillard.

SS1 video: https://youtu.be/PMWi0n2kQ5Q

[rage82]

Nice review of the first leg from FFSA with some spectacular onboard from Loeb - https://youtu.be/v0p0zNiAQ9c

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk

[dupanton]

Mathieu Arzeno leading after three stages, Sébastien Loeb third: https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/37022-rallye-du-var-2017/

Hugo Margaillan is an excellent fifth. Is anyone able to tell me more about him? Is he related to Mathieu Margaillan? How old is he? Is there a chance to see him in WRC soon?

I think Hugo is the younger brother of Mathieu, but not sure.

[dupanton]

The sound of the Aston Martin is just great!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nAEs88j0Po

[electroliquid]

What about Mathieu Arzeno? past few seasons did only France cup (and did great) - lack of money? looked pretty fast until accident.

[br21]

Crash of Arzeno and stage stopped?

[dimviii]

Crash of Arzeno and stage stopped?
seems like that,also Sylvain if I understood well,spun at where Arzeno had his exit,and hit a female spectator and ambulance went into stage to pick her.
Stage was almost wet.

[br21]

seems like that,also Sylvain if I understood well,spun at where Arzeno had his exit,and hit a female spectator and ambulance went into stage to pick her.
Stage was almost wet.

Aha, thanx for info, I couldn't find anything anywhere

[dimviii]

Aha, thanx for info, I couldn't find anything anywhere

I translate via google the forum-rallye topic about Var.
Stage 5 was raining hard

[bf1_IRL]

Oh its very close! :D (see attachment from https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/37022-rallye-du-var-2017/)

Anyone noting the times of the C3 & the Etios R4?

[Rally Power]

Arzeno went off in a place with no spectators; the car was fine but there was no one to help putting it back on the road. Michel went wide approaching a hairpin, hitting bad placed spectators; according to info, only a few got injured, but it could have been quite worse.

Incredible times from Loeb: despite humidity and even some rain in the earlier stages, he’s ahead of all R5’s and only Salanon (Fiesta WRC ‘13) was able to give him a fight. Margailland keeps impressing; he won SS4 and is currently P4. Dumas is making a superb rally; he’s now at P9, with a huge advantage over RGT competitors; RGT P2 huge fight still going on.

Link to follow the rally: https://www.rallye-sport.fr/

[mousti]

Won't they DSQ Michel? He hit spectators and didn't stop..

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G935F met Tapatalk

[dimviii]

Incredible times from Loeb: despite humidity and even some rain in the earlier stages,

it wasn't raining at early stages only.Stage 5 for example was heavy rain at early stage kms.
According to French forum comments wasn't at ideal tyre choice too.

[Rally Power]

Won't they DSQ Michel? He hit spectators and didn't stop..

If they DSQ Michel, then FFSA must take away Var rally (and eventually some others) from the series…it’s the organizers responsibility to keep dangerous places clean of spectators. According to info, despite the red tapes, the spot was packed with morons that, apparently, marshals weren’t able to move. Michel must never be blamed for what happened and neither for not having stopped, once there were marshals on the scene and it’s them who should ask for help.

Unfortunately, rally crowd control issues keep happening all around the world and it reflects badly on our sport. Amazingly, some still think that’s not a major issue and spectators should be left at ease…

[Mirek]

If they DSQ Michel, then FFSA must take away Var rally (and eventually some others) from the series…it’s the organizers responsibility to keep dangerous places clean of spectators. According to info, despite the red tapes, the spot was packed with morons that, apparently, marshals weren’t able to move. Michel must never be blamed for what happened and neither for not having stopped, once there were marshals on the scene and it’s them who should ask for help.

Unfortunately, rally crowd control issues keep happening all around the world and it reflects badly on our sport. Amazingly, some still think that’s not a major issue and spectators should be left at ease…

Sorry but what You just wrote is terrible simplifaction of such situation.

1) Is there a rule saying that the crew is obliged to stop and check if someone was injured (unless they are not aware they hit someone) in the French championship? If the answer is yes than it's irrelevant if the spectators were bad placed. The essence is whether the rule was breached or not.

2) If You claim that the place was marked as forbidden area it's the spectators who are to blame rather than the organizer. It's virtually impossible to 100% guard rally stages and even a simple no go sign shall be enough to inform the spectator that when he goes there he is the one who brakes the rules and shall take the responsibility if something bad happens.

[MartijnS]

Was that this moment? https://www.facebook.com/SebLoebMLDC/videos/1746203172119999/

[mousti]

Was that this moment? https://www.facebook.com/SebLoebMLDC/videos/1746203172119999/Yes

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G935F met Tapatalk

[Rally Power]

Sorry but what You just wrote is terrible simplifaction of such situation.
1) Is there a rule saying that the crew is obliged to stop and check if someone was injured (unless they are not aware they hit someone) in the French championship? If the answer is yes than it's irrelevant if the spectators were bad placed. The essence is whether the rule was breached or not.
2) If You claim that the place was marked as forbidden area it's the spectators who are to blame rather than the organizer. It's virtually impossible to 100% guard rally stages and even a simple no go sign shall be enough to inform the spectator that when he goes there he is the one who brakes the rules and shall take the responsibility if something bad happens.

I’m not terribly simplifying mate, just firmly stating that Michel, or any other rally driver, shouldn’t be penalized for this kind of incidents, whatever the regs say.

Btw, when marshals can’t move bad placed spectators from a notorious dangerous spot (like this one, once the tapes), the normal procedure is to inform rally officials and those will decide if the stage must be delayed, stopped or continue as programmed; they are responsible for the chosen option.

[electroliquid]

It's not about who we should blame, it's about rules - if it said stop - you should stop, and if you don't follow rules you get penalty - simple as that.

[Rally Power]

If anyone is still interested, Michel won SS7 and Salanon SS8. Loeb now leading by just 1.4s!

[Mirek]

Was that this moment? https://www.facebook.com/SebLoebMLDC/videos/1746203172119999/

Thank You for the video. It's plausible that in this case the crew really didn't notice they hit the people by the back of the car.

[electroliquid]

Troubles for Seb? SS9 +16.5

[dimviii]

Troubles for Seb? SS9 +16.5

he didn't mention any problem,this is what he said about ss 9


Loeb
"Well overall. In the previous one, it was very bumpy and we do not have the dampers of a WRC. Here, it went well. "

[dimviii]

another video from better angle from Sylvain off
https://youtu.be/fRlZLyFXGz4

[dimviii]

about ss 9 seems that doesn't suit 2wd cars,Dumas with Porsche +50 sec
at 14km stages was about 20 sec slower from leader,so 50 sec from leader at ss 9 are a lot.

[dimviii]

"A track partly uphill, with a lot of pins and so bumpy that it jumped in all directions," said Loeb. We have very short shocks races on the 306 so we are always in the stops on this kind of terrain and each time it relaxes we lose grip and traction. It was not easy to keep the car on the road, but in the end we lost big. Until then, the fight was played to the tenth of a second, so it will be difficult to recover the lost time but we have fun and that's the essential.

"Loeb and Elena, they are Martians, aliens"



Salanon was aware of the importance of the gap (16 "7 at the end of the stage) as well as the incredible resistance of his illustrious opponent driving a car whose technology dates back almost twenty years old: "It would not have been necessary to drive faster in Pignans because it was becoming a limit limit I was anxious to arrive I am amazed by the chronos of Seb and Daniel They are Martians, aliens. Even with a tractor he would scratch, Seb, it's impressive, there's a second and a half or two to the kilometer between the two cars and he makes up for it with his talent.He is nine times world champion, a thousand times better Seb, there are two of them (Loeb and Ogier) No more, it's in the wet and wet road conditions this morning that it amazes me when you arrive on this kind of terrain with a two-wheel drive, you name it Loeb you necessarily slip when you steer.But he, he does q and even better times. I do not know how he does it! "

https://www.lequipe.fr/Rallye/Actualites/Rallye-du-var-sebastien-loeb-a-tout-tente/853815

[dimviii]

plenty of Sanglieeeeeerrr at this video
https://youtu.be/JYtdqyUoh-c

[rage82]

https://youtu.be/3FzIqaeZQGU

Sent from my Redmi Note 3 using Tapatalk

[Ucci]

What is the reason for Loeb's retirement?

[electroliquid]

Engine failure, according autohebdo.fr's twitter

[fegh]

What is the reason for Loeb's retirement?Engine

Sent from my HTC Desire 10 pro using Tapatalk

[Jarek Z]

So, David Salanon (Ford Fiesta WRC) wins Rallye du Var. Congratulations.
What caught my attention are bad results from some well-known drivers - Charles Martin (former official Peugeot driver) only 5th, Nicolas Vouilloz only 10th, Pepe Lopez only 12th, Guillaume De Mevius only 15th, Francois Delecour 16th, Oleksii Tamrazov (in Ford Fiesta WRC!) 17th, Panizzi out, Loeb out...
Still an interesting rally with good entry list!

http://www.ffsa.org/PublishingImages/ACTUS/2017/Rallye/0T8A3310_bis.jpg?RenditionID=24

[Jarek Z]

plenty of Sanglieeeeeerrr at this video
https://youtu.be/JYtdqyUoh-c


https://youtu.be/3FzIqaeZQGU


Great videos guys! Thanks for sharing! Did you notice at 1:50 in the dimviii's video how spectators break right door as they try to take that little Peugeot out of the ditch? :)

[kiil]

Great videos guys! Thanks for sharing! Did you notice at 1:50 in the dimviii's video how spectators break right door as they try to take that little Peugeot out of the ditch? :)

Think the door gets stuck in the ditch when reversing, but yes, not good :-)

[dimviii]

lol

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1758232490874786&id=1105236992841009

[KKS]

Engine failure, according autohebdo.fr's twitter
And it's Loeb pushing too hard and he broke the engine or engine too weak for 9 World Champion?

[Ucci]

And it's Loeb pushing too hard and he broke the engine or engine too weak for 9 World Champion?
IMHO-both....

[dimviii]

And it's Loeb pushing too hard and he broke the engine or engine too weak for 9 World Champion?

do we know what exactly from engine broke?

[dimviii]

do we know what exactly from engine broke?

sounds like total loss of engine.
https://www.facebook.com/piedplanche/videos/10213014355225151/

[dimviii]

I ve seen it maybe 50 times.
https://twitter.com/DanosElena/status/934664561231384576

[dimviii]

sounds like total loss of engine.
https://www.facebook.com/piedplanche/videos/10213014355225151/

according to Elenas twitter,a piston decide to visit the French nature

He didn't miss much... nothing to regret, we gave everything, even our pistons �� again @SebastienLoeb? #306Maxi

[Mirek]

IMHO-both....

That's one hell of an erudite judgement.

[Mirek]

according to Elenas twitter,a piston decide to visit the French nature

He didn't miss much... nothing to regret, we gave everything, even our pistons �� again @SebastienLoeb? #306Maxi

Do You mean that the conrod or its pin broke? With engine which turns over 10000 rpm it does sound quite plausible.

[dimviii]

Do You mean that the conrod or its pin broke? With engine which turns over 10000 rpm it does sound quite plausible.

we don't know exactly,but even if we knew we cant decide what exactly failed, if you don't have all the engine components to examine properly.
At French forum they wrote that Elena said that the engine before Var start had 350 stage km more for rebuild time.
It doesn't matter,it was nice fight,and a miracle that he was playing for the win with 20 years old car,against new cars,at these conditions
Hope we see them again with 306 maxi.

[electroliquid]

It doesn't matter,it was nice fight,and a miracle that he was playing for the win with 20 years old car,against new cars,at these conditions
Hope we see them again with 306 maxi.

I think there is less people now, who think that Loeb couldn't be competitive if he come back to WRC. Guy with 3 years without active rallying with 20 years old car being so fast is insane...And he's not even local - did Var 4 times before. Would like to see Ogier or Neuville with old cars competing for real in rally with strong entry list.

[dimviii]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDQd8rUVmmg&feature=youtu.be

[Jarek Z]

Seb Loeb in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KW9gqzxceI

[Jarek Z]

Seb Loeb in action part 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79nyOCjubHU

[dimviii]

https://youtu.be/sPO9Tsg2F4w

[dimviii]

https://youtu.be/-qnDv-xILKc

[Rally Power]

(...) What caught my attention are bad results from some well-known drivers - Charles Martin (former official Peugeot driver) only 5th, Nicolas Vouilloz only 10th, Pepe Lopez only 12th, Guillaume De Mevius only 15th, Francois Delecour 16th, Oleksii Tamrazov (in Ford Fiesta WRC!) 17th, Panizzi out, Loeb out...


On the other hand, plenty of positive notes, besides Loeb's amazing show: no mistakes and a fine speed from Salanon (despite having a WRC, he’s an amateur driver); strong perf from Michel; surprising speed from Margailland on his R5 debut, likewise Guillaume Sirot (usually competes in regional events); positive experience of Rossel in the i20; great speed from Junior champ Franceschi, winning R2 and staying only 0.9s behind 2wd winner (Guigou on a Clio R3T); nice times from Ciamin, till tech problems in the 124; and many others, notably top Gr.F (expired homologation and modified cars) drivers.

Btw, France rally series diversity of cars and drivers it’s a fine example of how it’s possible to have fantastic events without strictly following FIA tech rules.

[Rally Power]

Onboard Magic Loeb…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6vtq3c0A1c

[dimviii]

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4526/37964380424_40c7ebf1ec_c.jpg
http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_11_2017/post-109-0-25024900-1511805890.jpg
http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_11_2017/post-109-0-83060800-1511805906.jpg

[Mirek]

Idiots...

[dimviii]

Ciamin nice pass
https://www.facebook.com/1458049694475327/videos/1986367558310202/

[Rally Power]

Ciamin nice pass
https://www.facebook.com/1458049694475327/videos/1986367558310202/

Nice; never saw a 124 going so fast!

Btw, it’s now perfectly clear that SS4 should have been cancelled (or delayed till clearance) for safety reasons. The spot where Michel hit spectators (col de canadel) was also used in SS1 and SS7, then with no bad placed spectators. The hairpin access has been restricted since a similar off in 2011: https://youtu.be/Vvvh2GvgxLI

[dupanton]

The car was adapted to the French rules, so no RGT car anymore.

[Sub_Skoda]

Serderidis at Rallye du Touquet : https://www.lemagsportauto.com/rallye-touquet-jourdan-serderidis-sera-depart/29845/

[dimviii]

‏


@lolo62500
Bryan Puffer with the new Hyundai i20 R5 from the Onyx Racing team by Enjolras at the start of Le Touquet normally the first five rounds of the French championship 2018

[dupanton]

Bryan Puffer?! :o :D I guess it's Bryan Bouffier. It was known already that he would focus on French championship this year. The choice for the Hyundai is a bit surprising though.

[tommeke_B]

Seeded entry list for Rallye le Touquet, first round of the French tarmac championship: https://www.rallye-sport.fr/liste-des-engages-rallye-du-touquet-2018/ Brunson (Fiesta) and Lefebvre (DS3) with WRC, a total of 16 R5 car (5x Skoda, 4x DS3, 4x Hyundai and 3x Fiesta). Could be a very interesting battle, although Lefebvre should logically be ahead of the rest with his DS3 WRC. Shame he didn't choose the R5... Behind that some nice GT cars and the Clio R3T Cup and the Fiesta Junior championship.

[Rally Power]

Fantastic list. Quite a shame to see WRC's still allowed in the events (they should run them in RRC specs), as currently French R5 field is one of the strongest in Europe.

[Rally Power]

As expected, Lefebvre is dominating Touquet Rally (winning all 1st leg stages) ahead of R5 crews. Bouffier is second in the i20, ahead of Bonato DS3. https://www.rallye-sport.fr/es8-touquet-2018/

[dupanton]

Yesterday we went to day 1 of Rallye Touquet. Was a very nice day!
Lefebvre won easily with his DS3 WRC against the R5 cars, but was (sometimes) pushing hard too. The quality in R5 was really high, apart from Serderidis, there were no slow drivers. Bouffier (i20 R5) took 2nd in front of Bonato (DS3 R5) who had some brake issues on the second day. An impressive Habouzit (Fabia R5) nearly took the podium but ended 0.4s behind the reining champion, very good result for a first rally in the national championship.
Ciamin was crazy fast in the Abarth. He lost +- 3,5 minutes in the first loop with a mechanical problem but still managed to almost win GT against Rouillard (experienced driver in a very fast Porsche) and 11th overall. On the last loop, he even got a 6th and a 7th time.
Guigou and Robert were a lot faster than the guys in de Clio R3t Cup. Bernardi won that but no one really stood out. Special mention for British female driver Sarah Williams. She as very fast at times, saw a very good pass from her on SS1 (you can see it in the video below) and definitely has some potential!
In the Fiesta Trophy (using the "junior" fiesta R2t) Fourmeaux was fastest by far. He was really crazy by times (again, watch the video below). Saw 2 crashes of Fiesta's too on a muddy corner in a forest.

Final result: https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/44785-rallye-le-touquet-pas-de-calais-2018/?s=172894
Video from our rally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB-fn6me_NQ

[dimviii]

https://youtu.be/iNa8VwemZYc

[Jarek Z]

Quite a shame to see WRC's still allowed in the events

Agree. Lefevbre's DS3 WRC ruined the competition for a win in this rally.
Good performance from Bouffier. With him at the wheel Hyundai can finally win some important title.

[mas-racing]

https://s14.postimg.org/uw5mfzvcx/sf2_tou_2018.jpg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc8gVqFuVms&feature=youtu.be)

[Tom206wrc]

Spectacular video of this week-end's Rallye du Gier :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyKiSkCNgWk

This event also counted for the swiss championship and was won by swiss driver Ivan Ballinari(Skoda Fabia R5)after leader Sébastien Caron(Ford Fiesta R5)crashed...

Two french Citroën DS3 R5 finished behind Ballinari :D

[wizaron]

Rallye Le Touquet - Pas-de-Calais 2018

album - https://flic.kr/s/aHsm8E17Xo
Some shots

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/786/40216807584_782c0c75ce_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24gPDLd)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/813/40031630355_1c98213847_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/23Zsz2n)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/793/40216817444_0ba54f65a9_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24gPGGd)

[Tom206wrc]

Big surprise: in 2019 Peugeot-Sport will offer...a Citroën C3 R5 to the winner of the current season 208 Rally Cup :eek:
It'll be for next year's french tarmac rallies championship(so no ERC anymore :confused: )...

This coming week-end is the first round of the 208 cup on the gravel of the Rallye des Causses and they will be 19 crews there(among new entrants welsh driver Meirion Evans or Abu Dhabi's Mohammed Al Mutawaa with a new irish codriver,...) ;)

Overall a very good entrylist on Rallye Terre des Causses, even without presence of Jean-Marie Cuoq(multiple champion of the discipline) :)

http://www.rallye-des-causses.org/
http://www.brennusinfo.fr/

[tommeke_B]

Next week there's the 2nd event of the French tarmac championship, Lyon-Charbonnières. The entry list looks phenomenal. 28 R5 cars! Link to the list: https://www.rallye-sport.fr/liste-des-engages-rallye-lyon-charbonnieres-2018/ The rally is held on friday afternoon and saturday. Total of 13 stages, making it 227 kms of SS.

[Jarek Z]

Amazing entry list indeed! And what a variety of cars!

[dimviii]

interesting fight between Bonato with c3 r5 against Bouffier with i20 r5.

[dimviii]

interesting fight between Bonato with c3 r5 against Bouffier with i20 r5.

at first stage Bonato 6,4 sec faster.Bouffier just 4th faster stage time.Stage interrupted from accident of Habouzit
https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/44786-rallye-lyon-charbonnieres-rhone-2018/?s=178009

[Tom206wrc]

Many firemen and ambulances on SS1 Lyon-Charbonnières following Habouzit's crash(rolled four times apparently!!) :mark:

But according latest rumours if Thibaut and his sister and codriver Sandra are a bit hurt, this would be not too serious...let's hope so :(

[dimviii]

pop off valve problems for Bouffier at ss1,and engine cuts+ alarm for water temp at ss2

[Jarek Z]

Bonato and his C3 R5 fastest also on SS2.

[mousti]

It would be a surprise if he wouldnt

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[dupanton]

Habouzit and his codriver are slightly injured but should be ok. The codriver had to be extracted from the wreckage.

[dimviii]

It would be a surprise if he wouldnt

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Bouffier as i read from French forum had pop off problems,engine alarms etc.Lets wait a bit.


ES2:

*

Bouffier: I have an information that the pressure of the water pump was not working. I had to do the ES without a boost.

Bonato: no worries, I did not roll well at first, it was better at the end.

Ancian: we took something in the left front, I wonder if we did not burst.

Roché: Still the problem of pop-off ... we tried to settle but it still does not go

Giordano: I did not feel like I was riding, especially where there was a raise.

[dimviii]

Bonato again faster, 11,4 sec at 13 km stage.

[dimviii]

ES4

*

Bouffier: we have trouble, we still have problems of pop-off.

Bonato: it's great, it's a good day today ... we drive. We had seen in Corsica that the car she walk so not surprised

[RS]

pop off valve problems for Bouffier at ss1,and engine cuts+ alarm for water temp at ss2

Seems to me i20 R5 has a lot of reliability problems. Is that fair, or have I just noticed the bad stuff?

[dimviii]

Thibault Habouzit

3min ·
Good evening everyone,

Following our exit from the road here are some news.

Sandra has multiple fractures, for me nothing alarming.

Thank you all for the many messages we received.

We will give you news afterwards.

[dimviii]

https://youtu.be/BkWknbMlwJQ

[Rally Power]

After this morning loop, Bonato and the C3 are still dominating (fastest at all road stages so far), with the surprising Ancian is keeping P2. Bouffier is recovering (less than 2s from P3) and Ciamin impressing with the 124 Rally (P7, GT leader).

Rally info: https://www.rallye-sport.fr/es9-lyon-charbo-2018/
First day FFSA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6szhtYl5lQ

[Tom206wrc]

So that's it, Yoann Bonato won the Lyon-Charbonnières, and Something tells me that it won't be his lonely victory with the new C3 in french tarmac championship :D

[Rally Power]

Yep, clear domination from Bonato (10 wins in 13 stages), proving how competitive the new C3 is on tarmac (fingers crossed for its gravel debut). Big surprise from Ancian pace; he’s been without regular program since the failed ’12 ERC season with Peugeot, but he’s showing he can be a title contender in the Minerva Oil team Fiesta. Apparently there’s still room for set-up improvement in order to make the i20 an all round winner, but Bouffier will certainly be fighting for the win in the next events; hopefully so it’ll Gilbert, Roche and some others, making this year French series quite interesting to follow.

FFSA day 2 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6uuhsjr8hM

[dimviii]

https://youtu.be/GLQrtqoWgKA

[Tom206wrc]

Provisonal entrylist of next week's Rallye d'Antibes ;)

http://www.antibes-rallye.com/liste-des-engages-2/


Edit: by the way, first victory for Sylvain Michel(codriven by Lara Vanneste)with his Skoda R5 on the 2nd round of the french gravel championship, a totally new event, the Rallye Castine Terre d'Occitanie :D

[JTGANG]

Provisonal entrylist of next week's Rallye d'Antibes ;)

http://www.antibes-rallye.com/liste-des-engages-2/


Edit: by the way, first victory for Sylvain Michel(codriven by Lara Vanneste)with his Skoda R5 on the 2nd round of the french gravel championship, a totally new event, the Rallye Castine Terre d'Occitanie :D

As i am seeing Tirabassi hasn't lost his speed at all after so many years off the rally...Actually he was beating Michel + Ciamin young French stars

[Tom206wrc]

Yep, unfortuneately Tirabassi crashed on SS2, explaining he was running in Rally2 next day :mark:

[Rally Power]

Provisonal entrylist of next week's Rallye d'Antibes ;)
http://www.antibes-rallye.com/liste-des-engages-2/

Nice list. Interesting to see Basso and Yates also in it.

[dupanton]

Nice list. Interesting to see Basso and Yates also in it.

It's part of TER. That is certainly the reason Basso is in.
Maybe Yates is going to do the rest of TER too, as Ypres is also in it.

[c_o_r]

French championship : "Castine Terre d'Occitanie"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePsOIhA64Qw

[Rally Power]

It's part of TER. That is certainly the reason Basso is in.
Maybe Yates is going to do the rest of TER too, as Ypres is also in it.

Yep, and it’ll be a free rally for Basso as he’s collecting the series 2017 winning prize at Antibes: http://www.terseries.com/en/news/581/ter-tour-european-rally-2017-winner-basso-collects-prize-drive-in-antibes

[Rally Power]

2-1 for Bouffier; he took Antibes win, apparently profiting from Bonato wrong tyre choice on the wet stages. P3 for Basso.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYF4rx9zwg8

[Zeakiwi]

Seb Loeb - Rallye du Chablais - ES 10 Les Portes du Soleil 2

Goes a bit fuzzy in places. Starts at 1.48

https://www.facebook.com/rallyeduchablais/videos/2146661998911726/

[Rally Power]

Another round (Rallye Vosges) and another win for Bouffier in the Hyundai; big fight with Bonato until the C3 retirement, due to engine problems. Giordano in other i20 was 2nd, ahead of Gilbert (Fabia). https://youtu.be/ipfZccKkxgM?list=PLEkPvdg9gdHIiDkyJOMMe1pdkX8IrnEz x&t=28

[tommeke_B]

In Northern France Benoit Vaillant won Rallye du Ternois (161km SS, 13 stages spread over 2 days). He had an advantage of 41,6s over Pustelnik (DS3 WRC) and 1'06,1s over Comole (Fiesta R5).

https://scontent.fbru2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/36450732_10156502839755909_7117018679308451840_o.j pg?_nc_cat=0&oh=4d16d3f15ff5316985c0117ff732648c&oe=5BA90C92

[Rally Power]

With Bouffier absent and Bonato out before SS1, Gilbert and Roche battled hard to get Rallye Rouerge win on their Fabias. Gilbert succeed by just 2.9s. Berfa was P3 in a i20. Incredible times (overall win on the rally longest stage!) and P5 for Ciamin on the 124 GT+.
Results here: https://www.rallye-sport.fr/es12-rouergue-2018/
FFSA video: https://youtu.be/fK1Ghll9mLg?t=31

[Tom206wrc]

Currently is running the Rallye terre de Langres, event of the french gravel championship ;)

Jean-Marie Cuoq is present with his C4 WRC :D

After three stages today saturday, and despite he was first on the road(but there was a big thunder early in the morning with some rain), Sylvain Michel in his Skoda Fabia R5 is leading three Citroën WRC(Baud, Durbec and Cuoq) by a very small margin :eek:

Brice Tirabassi(Hyundaï R5) is quite far behind them :confused:

http://www.ffsa.org for the results...

[dupanton]

I was there as a spectator. Great event, we saw 8 out of the 10 stages without much problems. Michel was really on the attack on Saturday, a bit less on Sunday. Durbec was very aggressive on Sunday and won in the end. Baud was 2nd and Michel 3th. Cuoq couldn't follow the rhythm on the second day and retired after the last stage, not happy being only 4th.
Also in Junior championship the battle was really nice, never more than a handfull of seconds between Fourmeaux and Franseschi (younger brother of Jean Baptist). But the cars are really sloooooooooow, especially uphill.

[dupanton]

Lionel Baud (DS3 WRC) won the 4th round of the French Gravel Championship in Lozère. Sylvain Michel (Fabia R5) finished 2nd after a close battle on Saturday, championship leader Thibault Durbec (DS3 WRC) was third. All 3 won at least 1 round and so the standings are very close:
Michel 139
Durbec 136
Baud 136

Max Vatanen was 4th in an i20 R5 and Guillaume De Mevius (driver of Belgian national team) debuted with the C3 R5 to 5th place after an off.

Fourmaux was first Junior again, he won all rounds so far and is logically the new champion. He will have a program with the Fiesta R2t in the jWRC, similar to Franceschi this year. He also finished 10th overall!!

[Jarek Z]

Very good entry list for Rallye Mont Blanc Morzine 2018 - 27 R5 cars, 9 GT+, 2 WRC, 157 entries in total!
http://www.rallye-mont-blanc-morzine.com/wp-content/uploads/Mont-Blanc-2018-engage.pdf

[dimviii]

Βοuffier retired from transmission while he was about 30 sec beside Bonato
https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/44790-rallye-mont-blanc-morzine-2018/?s=196367

[dupanton]

It's good for the championship though. Bouffier now leading with only 2 points advantage on Bonato. Also Gilbert en Roche still have a shot for the title.

[Barreis]

no Ancian Jeremi on this rally?

[dupanton]

no Ancian Jeremi on this rally?

No, he missed the previous round too... Lack of budget I guess.

[tommeke_B]

A few nice videos from Rallye du Mont Blanc. Still on my to-do list...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzm6FMrV1T0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB9UxkywoD4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU8zb8iziAg

[dupanton]

Apparentely, it was a candidate event for the ERC too.

[mousti]

No, he missed the previous round too... Lack of budget I guess.His program stopped for the moment and his car is for sale aswell.

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[Tom206wrc]

Benoît Vaillant won the Rallye Pays de St Yrieix at the wheel of his Citroën C3 R5(it was his second outing in this car and he finished 2nd of R5 class on the previous event) ;)

[tommeke_B]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc5JU8ole24 Spectacular crash of Gherardi (C3 R5) in Rallye du Suran.

[dimviii]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc5JU8ole24 Spectacular crash of Gherardi (C3 R5) in Rallye du Suran.

shocking photo
https://twitter.com/AllanHarryman/status/1043499631009775616

[tommeke_B]

Not the first time a tree goes through the windscreen of a C3... Shocking indeed, but both driver and codriver are fine, according to the news.

[Rally Power]

Second win in a row for Bonato (third of the season) on last weekend Rallye Coeur de France. With Bouffier leaving the rally after a mistake on SS1, Bonato is now leading the series, ahead of Roché (P2 on this event), Bouffier and Gilbert (off at mid rally). Ciamin was bravely in P5 when tech issues forced him to retire.

Cool video by Pierre Brunet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyzJrAKT6P8

[Jarek Z]

Good video from Critérium des Cévennes by the French federation FFSA:
https://www.facebook.com/ChampionnatdeFrancedesRallyes/videos/2038149489809768/

The rally is still in progress. Bonato leads in front of Gryazin. Bouffier dropped from 2nd to the 7th position after a puncture. 3 stages to go.

Situation after SS7:
1. Yoann Bonato/Benjamin Boulloud (F) Citroën C3 R5 1:21.17,3
2. Nikołaj Gryazin/Jarosław Fiedorow (RUS) Skoda Fabia R5 +44,9
3. Quentin Giordano/Yannick Roche (F) Hyundai i20 R5 +1.12,3
4. Quentin Gilbert/Renaud Jamoul (F/B) Skoda Fabia R5 +1.19,0
5. Bryan Bouffier/Cathy Derousseaux (F) Hyundai i20 R5 +2.02,3
6. Mathieu Arzeno/Romain Roche (F) Skoda Fabia R5 +2.03,6
7. Eric Mauffrey/Kévin Bronner (F) Skoda Fabia R5 +2.22,4
9. William Wagner/Kévin Millet (B/F) Ford Fiesta R5 +3.30,8
8. Pierre Roché/Martine Roché (F) Skoda Fabia R5 +3.36,3
10. Laurent Brunel/Gilbert Dini (F) Hyundai i20 R5 +4.28,9

[Rally Power]

Bonato won Cévennes and is the French Champ (second time in a row); congrats to him, his codriver and CHL team for providing them a reliable C3! Gryazin went off in the last stage; Giordano inherited P2 and Gilbert P3.

Classification link: https://www.rallye-sport.fr/es10-criterium-des-cevennes-2018/
2nd leg FFSA video:https://www.facebook.com/ChampionnatdeFrancedesRallyes/videos/1930792076976370/

[Tom206wrc]

Rallye Terre du Vaucluse(last round of the french gravel championship)with a great entrylist :bounce:

http://www.rallyego.com/engages-rallye-terre-de-vaucluse-2018/

The absence of Jean-Marie Cuoq is because he rented his C4 WRC to Stéphane Lefèbvre ;)

[Barreis]

ex jwrc champ Tirabassi behind a wheel again... Alexandre Lefebvre some relative to Stephane? no Dommerdich and 205 Maxi

[Jarek Z]

Despite his crash in Criterium des Cevennes Nikolai Gryazin is going to return to France for Rallye du Var:
https://www.fiaerc.com/if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-erc-junior-u28-champion-gryazin-plans-france-return-mission/

[Tom206wrc]

Victory of a british driver in Normandie last week-end :D
Sebastian Ling won at the wheels of a DS3 R5 ;)

Favourite was Eric Brunson(Ford Fiesta WRC)but he had a problem on one of the stages(maybe a puncture)and despite his fighting spirit he could only finish 2nd overall...

[tommeke_B]

This weekend the final round of the French gravel championship was held. Lefebvre (C4 WRC) won ahead of Durbec (DS3 WRC) and Michel (Fabia R5). Sylvain Michel claimed the title. In FWD, Grégoire Munster won with a 208 R2, it was his 23rd event this season!

[Tom206wrc]

Swede Mattias Adielsson and Belgian Guillaume de Mévius will take part to the rallye du Var next week with a Citroën C3 R5 :eek:

[Jarek Z]

Very good entry list for Rallye du Var! Almost 200 entries and over 30 R5 cars, including some surprises like the return of Stephane Sarrazin (Hyundai i20 R5), Sylvain Michel (Skoda Fabia R5) and Francois Delecour (Ford Escort Cosworth).

Entry list can be found here:
https://www.rallye-sport.fr/liste-des-engages-rallye-du-var-2018/

The rally starts on Friday, November 23.

[dimviii]

Bonato won easily,Sarrazin was 2nd till the last stage when he punctured and dropped to 6th

https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/44794-rallye-du-var-2018/

[Mirek]

Brutal onboard of the early leader Michel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un3sMqi8gMw

[dodge33cymru]

Brutal onboard of the early leader Michel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un3sMqi8gMw

Wow, you can see why he didn't last the course - very Abbring-esque!

Always like following the footage on YouTube for this one, super competitive field this year but Bonato constantly a few tenths ahead after Michel's departure. Good to see Franceschi not a million miles off in his first 4WD event.

[Barreis]

Brutal onboard of the early leader Michel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un3sMqi8gMw

wipers were destroying him

[dupanton]

Also a special mention for Fourmaux. First time in an R5 car and very impressive speed already (faster then Gryazin, Gilbert, Arzeno etc after a few stages). He did crash on the second day after 2 2nd times.

[Barreis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJF6qv4rMuU

[dupanton]

Gregoire Munster won Rallye Devoluy, only his 2nd rally in an R5. He finished ahead of Mathieu Margaillan despite a 20s penalty. The conditions were a bit like Monte Carlo, but with less snow than usual, mostly slush.
Impressive performance for Munster, he made enormous progress over the season. He might be not the biggest talent, but for sure he will get somewhere, with the backing and the coaching he has.
EWRC: https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/145687-gregoire-munster/

[dodge33cymru]

Silly question maybe, but do French rally cars need licence plates? Just got back from RMC and couldn't help but notice the lack of number plates on all the DS3s, Clios, 208s, Twingos etc.

[TWRC]

Silly question maybe, but do French rally cars need licence plates? Just got back from RMC and couldn't help but notice the lack of number plates on all the DS3s, Clios, 208s, Twingos etc.
Yes, they have numberplates, but on events they use this numbering identification method. IIRC this was implemented because of insurance reasons, but I'm not sure.

[dupanton]

I don't think they still have number plates. Even when coming with a foreign car, you have to take the plates off and only use the competition number.
I don't exactly know the reason.

[br21]

Yes, cars have normal registration numbers, but for rallies they need to be removed and you need to use your rally number instead (top right of front windscreen and rear bumper). I heard it's because of police, so they can easy see what car/what number on road sections. During Ypres when one stage visits France you also need to put sticker with number on front windscreen.

[dodge33cymru]

Thanks guys, never knew that (first time I've seen a rally in person in France) - cheers

[TheFlyingTuga]

Yes, cars have normal registration numbers, but for rallies they need to be removed and you need to use your rally number instead (top right of front windscreen and rear bumper). I heard it's because of police, so they can easy see what car/what number on road sections. During Ypres when one stage visits France you also need to put sticker with number on front windscreen.

Yes. What was said to me when I went there to Rallye du Var is that is for easying identification of the car. Not only from police but also from public if needed

[Got Mail]

At the Ypres Rally when they had just one stage in France, all drivers had to swap to numbers for that one stage and then swap back to registration plates afterwards.

[PLuto]

If I am correct, one of the reasons for this numbers was easier identification from police, but there were also some insurance issues.

[mousti]

Quentin Gilbert will do full French asphalt championship with a Polo R5 from HK Racing.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190209/e71bb0c8d42468e14f3fb3aa55167292.jpg

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ONEPLUS A6013 met Tapatalk

[dimviii]

William Wagner with Polo r5 from Sébastien Loeb Racing

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DzyTntpXQAEZ66_.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DzyTntqX0AEIJCr.jpg

[Mirek]

Rallye des Routes du Nord was won by William Wagner in his premiere with Polo R5. The entry list was rather poor for French standards this time.

1. Wagner (Polo R5) 1:05:11,2
2. Mauffrey (Fabia R5) +3:13,8
3. Bayard (Corolla WRC) +3:13,9
4. Wilt (Fabia R5) +3:19,5
5. Heuninck (Evo IX sk.A) +3:48,9
6. Lapouille (DS3 R5) +4:28,0
7. Vanson (Evo IX sk.A) +5:57,3
8. Hermant (Evo IX sk.N) +7:55,8
9. Roussel (Impreza STi sk.N) +9:06,9
10. Houssin (DS3 R5) +9:17,5

Retired from top drivers: Gilbert (Polo R5) - broken wheel, Salanon (Fabia R5) - crash, Ciamin (Polo R5) - didn't start in the event.

[tommeke_B]

@Mirek, the entry list was not poor at all, for French standards. This event counts for the "coupe de France", not for the French championship. For this event, it was probably the best entry list in years. Yesterday I did a short visit, as the stages were less than half an hour away from my home. Visited 4 stages, for me it was a confirmation from what I've seen in Sweden, Polo R5's are more amusing cars to see and hear than the Fabia.

First event in the French tarmac championship is Touquet, 15-16th of March. Some drivers used Routes du Nord as preparation for it.

Another event where drivers prepared for le Touquet this weekend, and actually closer to the event itself, was the Rallye de la Cote Fleurie. Brunson (Fiesta WRC) won in front of Ragues (Fabia R5), Chauffray (Fiesta R5), Pustelnik (DS3 WRC) and Amourette (DS3 R5). I think the whole top 5 from both events will be present at Rallye le Touquet. :) Full results: https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/56420-rallye-national-de-la-cote-fleurie-2019/

[Mirek]

Ups, I have mixed Rallye des Rotes du Nord with Rallye Le Touquet. My bad :D

[Tom206wrc]

Simply have a look at the pre-entrylist of Rallye du Touquet :eek:
And seeded entrylist will be published on next friday, there's time for one or two surprise entrants too ;)

http://rallyedutouquet.fr/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Engages-Touquet-modernes-au-2.3.19-AM-1.pdf

[Rally Power]

Amazing list. What team will enter Lefebvre? Is he still under Citroen contract?

[dupanton]

There are rumours about Camilli too.

[Tom206wrc]

Amazing list. What team will enter Lefebvre? Is he still under Citroen contract?


I've read on Forum-Rallye that he should have entered Rallye du Touquet with a Skoda Fabia R5...so finally he changed his mind :confused:

Also he perfectly knows the C3 R5, so if he doesn't want to get a time to habit to a new car it's wise move ;)

[Tom206wrc]

NOW official entrylist Rallye du Touquet :bounce:

http://www.rallye-sport.fr/liste-des-engages-rallye-du-touquet-2019/

24 entries in R5 class(and many quality entrants), some other countries can envy France :D

[Rally Power]

Apparently, Lefebvre Touquet entry is a one off with Minerva Oil Team C3 and so it’s Ciamin on the THX Racing Polo; alongside Bonato and Bouffier they’re probably this rally favourites.

[TheFlyingTuga]

NOW official entrylist Rallye du Touquet :bounce:

http://www.rallye-sport.fr/liste-des-engages-rallye-du-touquet-2019/

24 entries in R5 class(and many quality entrants), some other countries can envy France :D

We had more in Fafe :P

Great list. It's always a pleasure to see your rallies tho

[Tom206wrc]

Official entrylist Rallye du Pays de Gier, first round of the swiss rallies championship, and of course all the favourites for the win are all from Switzerland ;)


http://www.asadelaloire.com/liste-des-engages/

[mousti]

Apparently, Lefebvre Touquet entry is a one off with Minerva Oil Team C3 and so it’s Ciamin on the THX Racing Polo; alongside Bonato and Bouffier they’re probably this rally favourites.Focus for Ciamin is on WRC2 with the Polo.

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ONEPLUS A6013 met Tapatalk

[Tom206wrc]

Bryan Bouffier and Matthieu Arzeno finally won't take part to the Rallye du Touquet, problem with budget :(

[Rally Power]

Touquet SD video, by Fdv: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAnhBNOOHQs

[Rally Power]

Bonato already 23s ahead, after the first loop. Despite some small mistakes, Lefebvre is 2nd, with Ciamin, Wagner and Gilbert (all in Polo’s) behind him in less than 7s. Live timing and drivers comments here: https://www.rallye-sport.fr/es3-touquet-2019/

[dimviii]

conditions a bit difficult

http://forum-rallye.com/uploads/monthly_03_2019/post-3925-0-07828300-1552672701.jpg
https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53599775_2206271906095657_858370431244042240_o.jpg ?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent-cdg2-1.xx&oh=52e5b717bf29abb3be8b7a89c8febcc3&oe=5D163C4E
https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/54401892_2206271929428988_7625605036936003584_o.jp g?_nc_cat=105&_nc_ht=scontent-cdg2-1.xx&oh=9411d2972b3341fa471700da46895601&oe=5D24FF5B

[dimviii]

https://youtu.be/Nzc-eJCtyLo

[dimviii]

great come back from Ciamin at 2nd loop.
he was 24 sec behind Bonato,and at 3 night stages he trails with only 5,7 now.

https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/55012-rallye-le-touquet-pas-de-calais-2019/?s=217286

[Jarek Z]

Over 20 R5 cars on the entry list and only 1 Ford Fiesta...

[dimviii]

Ciamin leader

[dimviii]

Giordano

https://scontent.flgg1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53877565_10215475339649313_254084007464009728_n.jp g?_nc_cat=102&_nc_ht=scontent.flgg1-1.fna&oh=1f92034ab5fc3d3d067beb7bb21931c5&oe=5D0D70F6


https://www.facebook.com/1013022630/videos/pcb.10215475340209327/10215475339929320/?type=3&theater

[dimviii]

https://scontent.flgg1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/54410838_1164051320462799_6359486344938389504_o.jp g?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent.flgg1-1.fna&oh=e83554e8968f132e8e0d6bd29c4e860e&oe=5D188321

[dimviii]

https://www.facebook.com/Rallye.Sport.fr/videos/377776393059531?sfns=mo

[dimviii]

Fourmeaux rolled

https://www.rallye-sport.fr/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Fourmaux-Touquet-2019-8.jpg

[dimviii]

Renaud Jamoul: The day started well with a good choice of tires that allowed us to climb up the rankings. Unfortunately, we were trapped by a left turn, repainted with mud. We slipped down the side, hitting a field that sent us to the barrel. Level health, I'm fine. Adrien on his side went for a check up. We will keep you informed as soon as possible and we thank you for your messages.

https://scontent.flgg1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53741169_1959636207467037_3261299273513304064_n.jp g?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent.flgg1-1.fna&oh=f7f50c7c150b32812c70ca10b9c5ae5a&oe=5D0CBE18

[dimviii]

1-2 for polos r5,clearly superior against French champions c3
winner Ciamin at 21 years old.

[Jarek Z]

Nicolas Ciamin wins his first "big" rally! Congratulations!
"That's an amazing moment for me, first "big" victory and surely the greatest rally I've done in my career."
https://www.ewrc-results.com/image/468141/?entry=2150051&car=0

[mas-racing]

https://i.postimg.cc/h4p5J1Xv/sf2-tou-2019.jpg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bacfi0x_qKA&feature=youtu.be)

[Rally Power]

Huge congrats to Ciamin; hopefully this win may help him to get more supports.


1-2 for polos r5,clearly superior against French champions c3


It’s fair to say that Bonato (tyre choice) and Lefebvre (diff) had some issues during Saturday, but the Polo superiority seems indeed clear (with the Fabia, Gilbert was never able to beat Bonato last year).

[dimviii]

Huge congrats to Ciamin; hopefully this win may help him to get more supports.



It’s fair to say that Bonato (tyre choice) and Lefebvre (diff) had some issues during Saturday, but the Polo superiority seems indeed clear (with the Fabia, Gilbert was never able to beat Bonato last year).

i was following the rally reading comments after every stage,and i am not sure if Lefebvre had any problem with his c3 diffs.
After first loop service,he was loosing same amount of time as with the ''problematic'' diffs
Bonato yes. he had a wrong tyre choice,but he was loosing(less) with the right tyre choice afterwards,and at Saturday night at 2nd loop.

https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/55012-rallye-le-touquet-pas-de-calais-2019/?s=217284

[tommeke_B]

Also don't forget that Le Touquet has a unusual type of stages for France. Also the conditions were really difficult, I've been to le Touquet many times but never seen it that bad as this year was. If we have a dry rally in Lyon next month, it will be a better comparison.

[Rally Power]

i was following the rally reading comments after every stage,and i am not sure if Lefebvre had any problem with his c3 diffs.
After first loop service,he was loosing same amount of time as with the ''problematic'' diffs
Bonato yes. he had a wrong tyre choice,but he was loosing(less) with the right tyre choice afterwards,and at Saturday night at 2nd loop.https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/55012-rallye-le-touquet-pas-de-calais-2019/?s=217284

Lefebvre SS8 and 9 quotes on eWRC: "I try to deal with these issues, I have a 2 wheel-drive. I try to do my best."(…) "This is a mechanical problem, we can't do anything about it." To rallye-sport.fr: “We’ll change the differential in service.” On eWRC at the end of the rally: "Disappointing but it happens, there is up and down... We have differential issues today."

Btw, most likely Ciamin was unreachable, but Bonato lost 23s to Gilbert (from a 26s advantage) on Saturday 1st loop and only 8s on the second; on this interview https://www.rallye-sport.fr/bonato-ce-nest-pas-catastrophique/ he explains that he wrongly choosed R11 tyres for the morning loop, while everyone else took rain tyres.

[dimviii]

Lefebvre SS8 and 9 quotes on eWRC: "I try to deal with these issues, I have a 2 wheel-drive. I try to do my best."(…) "This is a mechanical problem, we can't do anything about it." To rallye-sport.fr: “We’ll change the differential in service.” On eWRC at the end of the rally: "Disappointing but it happens, there is up and down... We have differential issues today."

Btw, most likely Ciamin was unreachable, but Bonato lost 23s to Gilbert (from a 26s advantage) on Saturday 1st loop and only 8s on the second; on this interview https://www.rallye-sport.fr/bonato-ce-nest-pas-catastrophique/ he explains that he wrongly choosed R11 tyres for the morning loop, while everyone else took rain tyres.

about Bonato .....he was faster at first 3 stages.At rest 11 stages was slower.I dont think that he had wrong tyres for 11 stages for 2 days.
Also he lost at first day 2nd loop 3 night stages 20 sec to Gilbert.

about Levebvre,as i said when complaining with diff problems was loosing,but was loosing same amount of time with fixed diffs.
He said that at miday service they will change diffs.After service he was loosing again.At some stages strangely diffs working and was very close to top stage times.

[Rally Power]

about Bonato .....he was faster at first 3 stages.At rest 11 stages was slower.I dont think that he had wrong tyres for 11 stages for 2 days.
Also he lost at first day 2nd loop 3 night stages 20 sec to Gilbert.

Actually no; he only lost 4s to Gilbert on Friday 2nd loop (ending leg one 26s over him). Anyway, Bonato is known for his fairplay and in the interview he congratules Ciamin and Gilbert for being fast drivers and for not making any mistake on such tricky stages, besides recognizing that the Polo is already competitive. He also considers this P3 as a decent result, only regretting, while assuming as a silly mistake, that wrong tyre choice on Saturday morning.

FFSA TV Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9eSrOeXRy4

[dimviii]

Actually no; he only lost 4s to Gilbert on Friday 2nd loop (ending leg one 26s over him). Anyway, Bonato is known for his fairplay and in the interview he congratules Ciamin and Gilbert for being fast drivers and for not making any mistake on such tricky stages, besides recognizing that the Polo is already competitive. He also considers this P3 as a decent result, only regretting, while assuming as a silly mistake, that wrong tyre choice on Saturday morning.

FFSA TV Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9eSrOeXRy4

yes my bad Gilbert was faster at stage 5-6 while Bonato faster at stage 4.
What i want to say is that Bonato cant have wrong tyres at all loops.We see that except the first loop of 3 stages,he was at rest loops slower.Can he made wrong choices at all loops? i doubt.

[dimviii]

Ciamin onboard ss 11 ,nice drive with excellent camera position

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=zqGcTxgjq9U

[Tom206wrc]

Nice entrylist for the Rallye Epernay Vins de Champagne this Week-end ;)
http://ewrc-results.com/entries/55029-rallye-national-epernay-vins-de-champagne-2019/


Note irish driver Daniel Barry at the wheels of a DS3 R5 :)

[Tom206wrc]

Official entrylist Rallye terre des Causses, first round of the french gravel championship ;)

http://www.rallye-sport.fr/liste-des-engages-rallye-terre-des-causses-2019/

[br21]

Causses difficult rally as usual, with changing weather, in general a lot of rain, and slippery.
Results on FFSA.org, R4 Fiat performed really well, significantly faster than N4 with top driver, seems there will be more and more of those cars. Polo R5 stopped again with power steering issues, on road section...

[dimviii]

Bardahl
‏ @BardahlFrance


the team @LoebRacing will have 2 crews in @volkswagenms #Polo #GTI #R5 for the #RallyeLyonCharbonnières ���� ➡ Anthony fotia and Didier Sirugue will take place!����

[mas-racing]

https://i.postimg.cc/VkKB7YDf/sf2-lys-2019.jpg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4RSbWYeL8&feature=youtu.be)

[Tom206wrc]

Yesterday saturday Yoann Bonato won the Rallye Lyon-Charbonnières, second event of the french tarmac rallies championship, in front of Yohan Rossel and Quentin Gilbert :cool:

Fantastic race by Nicolas Ciamin 5th overall in his GT Abarth(Pirelli tyres) :eek:
Disaster for all the GT Porsches(all retired, including Romain Dumas after a big puncture) :s

[Jarek Z]

Look at that at 1:15! I had no idea that using an active rear wing is allowed in the French championship! :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Smh76rvCRtU&t=1m15s

[Rally Power]

Great entry list for Rallye Antibes, including Ciamin on a Fabia. The event starts tomorrow.
https://www.antibes-rallye.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Antibes-2019-V8-SITE-1.pdf

[Tom206wrc]

And note there's an american circuit driver among the entry in Antibes(Driving a Citroën C3 R5) ;)

Start of the rally in a few minutes http://www.patricksoft.fr/

[Rally Power]

Apparently we forgot Antibes...Rossel (C3) won after Bonato last stage drama (aquaplaning crash). Gilbert (Polo) came 2nd and is now leading the series. Ciamin (Fabia) went off at SS3 while leading and Fotia (Polo) was P2 untill having a puncture.

Classification link:https://www.rallye-sport.fr/es13-antibes-2019/
Video by FFSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC_hvFBTqyQ

[dimviii]

Loeb au Terre du Haut-Var avec une i20R5

http://planetemarcus.com/loeb-au-terre-du-haut-var-avec-une-i20r5/

[Rally Power]

Like it’s mentioned in planetemarcus piece, this Terre du Haut-Var rally is the return to Canjouers army camp, that was the base of the extint Rally des 1000 Pistes, run in the 70’s and 80’s. It was the most notorious gravel rally in France during the mixed series years and besides the top locals and foreign crews it was also run by manus to test protos (Starion 4wd, BX 4TC, Delta S4, 959, among others). Best luck to the new organizers.

PS: old videos page https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Rallye+des+1000+pistes

[Tom206wrc]

Sébastien Loeb will also drive a Hyundai WRC next Week on the Rallye des Vosges Grand Est(newly event of the french tarmac championship) ;)

[dimviii]

Loeb with ''Champeau'' stickers athis i20 wrc

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D9FWSVJU8AAMA7K.jpg

[dimviii]

Loeb testing for Rallye Terre du Haut-Var

https://youtu.be/HNDjkiElk-M

[dimviii]

https://scontent.fath2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/65300516_2351591768232760_5527190045968039936_n.jp g?_nc_cat=1&_nc_oc=AQnOxtlSY_6wvLx88FoO2u5UoHdhBqtfnEkeg5si8HI rOgrUcSaKScwPr7qupjHraqo&_nc_ht=scontent.fath2-1.fna&oh=9ea228b2bbcac21f93b9b49fe7ed12a7&oe=5DB637FF
https://scontent.fath2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/65386883_2351591754899428_7808788024925356032_n.jp g?_nc_cat=1&_nc_oc=AQl1XF_4Nrn-sFxV4uKLxm98SU24e1frR6C4LlvgODW-yW1P_IQjdy6F5KWZTJrJoc8&_nc_ht=scontent.fath2-1.fna&oh=889c68139ee577ae9c56070aeea886b8&oe=5D7A03D6

[dimviii]

Nicolas Ciamin, 3rd +21.2: "In Moyrazes, I think we did a good special, we had fun, the car was good, but the weather is not good. I do not really understand. After, I know that, despite everything, the C3 and Polo are a little above the Skoda now, that's clear, especially that the C3 have an excellent engine. The numbers speak for themselves. On wide and fast terrains like today, the engine takes a more important place. After, there are not five tenths to the kilometer in the car, so it's also me who was less successful in the long. "

https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/55016-rallye-aveyron-rouergue-occitanie-2019/


Βonato was leading and had an accident due to a spectator if i understand correct from French forum.


https://youtu.be/wQrphgI7f0c

[RS]

Nicolas Ciamin, 3rd +21.2: "In Moyrazes, I think we did a good special, we had fun, the car was good, but the weather is not good. I do not really understand. After, I know that, despite everything, the C3 and Polo are a little above the Skoda now, that's clear, especially that the C3 have an excellent engine. The numbers speak for themselves. On wide and fast terrains like today, the engine takes a more important place. After, there are not five tenths to the kilometer in the car, so it's also me who was less successful in the long. "

https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/55016-rallye-aveyron-rouergue-occitanie-2019/


Βonato was leading and had an accident due to a spectator if i understand correct from French forum.


https://youtu.be/wQrphgI7f0c

Interesting comments.. time for private Skoda owners to start upgrading to the Evo (or change cars)

[Tarmop]

Upgrade= new car. Old spec is old spec.

[tommeke_B]

Last weekend the Rallye Terre de Langres was held, it was the 4th round of the French Gravel championship. Lefebvre (C3 WRC) and Durbec (DS3 WRC), who won the first three rounds, were the two favorites for victory. Lefebvre however had a puncture and retired with engine issues later. Durbec was still fighting for the win with Michel when he went off and had to retire due to engine problems after this brutal section (@47s): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsHuUb_XFPo . So Sylvain Michel (Fabia R5) won. In 208 Rally Cup JB Franchesci took the win, Curioz won the junior championship (held with Fiesta R2J, the light-version of the previous generation Fiesta R2). I've also been there, seen a nice rally despite the many victims from a few rough parts in the stages. Dubert with the Fiat 500X R4 was very entertaining to watch, it would be nice to see more of these cars around.

Few photos:

https://scontent.fbru2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67122964_3240759049269292_1841304444604514304_o.jp g?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQmT6vBQ9CHKJbCRl9PPv-bDcrh9scKyN79Op7j0wVjlkR3iJrEonQxTJ3VDi_ilEbM&_nc_ht=scontent.fbru2-1.fna&oh=08d8326392d1b332dca11c294fb099bc&oe=5DA5753D

https://scontent.fbru2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67451704_3238552462823284_4343681502265999360_o.jp g?_nc_cat=105&_nc_oc=AQnheGPGwrJTOz1_0sLkLerozduxn3pGrEGm1qn6MJG N1jFPo5hJQyJSuvjV6F8piYc&_nc_ht=scontent.fbru2-1.fna&oh=b56d6ce7fce837f37c8495da988f0818&oe=5DA45AF0

https://scontent.fbru2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67331898_3238552586156605_1153915742291230720_o.jp g?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQn9Z0B_LqevIbtaQgeHKGRfKhJm01-dd1_sdkrPta4RdEwDRtcAZCjKjyXt0IdsC5Y&_nc_ht=scontent.fbru2-1.fna&oh=c70ef2a1adce1e1e79887d95d268364c&oe=5DA3FC07

https://scontent.fbru2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67145028_3238552216156642_7819140751534587904_o.jp g?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQliBQIqWN8MoWqgAwadTY5nJYRvlxl-IWbd11yYDeDSoHQEr8i1s0kmop7Gh9LFe44&_nc_ht=scontent.fbru2-1.fna&oh=86186cfa0efa81f650ac47a67480051b&oe=5DBA4895

https://scontent.fbru2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/67245779_3238552562823274_8907630763084611584_o.jp g?_nc_cat=103&_nc_oc=AQkIQ8YAXH2tm-OKZdmBoQzEtjR9SwQrBgxH8zX6jp_kU2uTi8b6mdAtbHmcuoiC AlE&_nc_ht=scontent.fbru2-1.fna&oh=6e0a42168a7bfb2a211df2b36e3b086b&oe=5DEB7D14

A few more: https://www.facebook.com/pg/rallyimage/photos/?tab=album&album_id=3238551409490056

[Mirek]

That "bumpy" section is IMHO some of the weirdest things which someone actually dared to call a special stage.

On the other hand it gives the crews the experience of being on and off the road in the same time :D

[Jarek Z]

On Saturday Yohan Rossel won the 71st edition of Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine, 6th round of French tarmac championship. The competition was quite good. He left such well-known names like Bonato and Michel behind him. Nicolas Ciamin (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) crashed on SS5.
It's nice to see the great Cedric Robert in the 15th position, the winner of FWD category in Citroën DS3 R3T.
https://www.rallye-sport.fr/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Rossel-MB-2019-1.jpg

Final results:
https://www.ewrc-results.com/results/55017-rallye-mont-blanc-morzine-2019/

[tommeke_B]

Bad news... Fatal accident in Rallye Terre des Cardabelles (French gravel championship). Apparently Beaubelique hit 4 spectators after a jump, one of them died.

https://www.midilibre.fr/2019/10/12/rallye-des-cardabelles-une-voiture-fauche-plusieurs-spectateurs-la-course-neutralisee,8475585.php?fbclid=IwAR0_Ta3vygkHuSCUl rMRPHjAMzn8MzCaqGNnJy6fMczR3OA02faXtYm-4Uo

[Rally Power]

Another 1-2 in France for the Citroen C3 R5; Bonato won Cévennes Rally and Rossel (P2) is the new French champ; congrats to him, co-driver Fulcrand and PHSport.

Link to classification: https://www.rallye-sport.fr/es10-cevennes-2019/

[gaudino69]

Rally terre de Vaucluse 9-10 november

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEKdtARYvac

[Tom206wrc]

Rallye du Var, last round of the french tarmac championship is next week: we don't have the official entrylist yet though, but you can see a crazy non official entrylist :D

Pre-entrylist available on http://www.var-rallye.fr/ and also on http://ewrc-results.com/ ;)

[Mirek]

I can say that the Czech entries look about right. If the rest is true it's definitely great!

[mousti]

Also a driver from Thailand Will start with a C3 R5 next to him will sit Freddy Loix..

Verstuurd vanaf mijn ONEPLUS A6013 met Tapatalk

[Mirek]

Shakedown Rallye du Var
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjTd1FnwMQU

[Tom206wrc]

I can't Believe Gryazin better than Loeb on SS1 Rallye du Var !!!! :s

[Mirek]

Near equal with Loeb on SS2 and still leading.

[Mirek]

Gryazin fastest on SS3 again. I guess it's down to the codriver on Loeb's side, still crazy from Gryazin.

[Got Mail]

Gryazin fastest on SS3 again. I guess it's down to the codriver on Loeb's side, still crazy from Gryazin.

Really impressive on SS3 - as Nikolay has never driven that stage before.

The boy has always been crazy fast - that's never been in doubt.

[Mirek]

I was told that the weather is getting crazy and that there is a risk of cancelation for the whole leg tomorrow. Now they are said to pack the service tents due to the strong wind.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Been a fan of Gryazin for years and its great to see him showing more people his amazing speed and getting the big publicity by leading Loeb.

[dimviii]

Gryazin fastest on SS3 again. I guess it's down to the codriver on Loeb's side, still crazy from Gryazin.

tyres is the main reason,wrc tyres are not for plenty of rain,thats why Loeb talked about aquaplaning,while all r5 run proper rain tyres.