News from France

[dupanton]

First tarmac champ entry list - Le Touquet : http://www.ewrc-results.com/startlis...de-Calais-2016

Quite disappointing. It's usually better there.
No local guys with top WRC machine - except Stievenart, whereas there's a lot there. And a few guys are able to do well with it, as Bayard and Pruvot.

Brunson and Salanon will fight for win.
R5 has quality, but finally not so many starters. Let's see what Michel can do. He should beat Mauffrey, Tanghe and Ragues, but it will be his first race with the Skoda.

And a nice surprise with a good field in DS3 R3 cup.

It will be too first race of new French Historic Rally Championship, with Delecour starting.
http://www.ewrc-results.com/startlis...Plage-VHC-2016

I think (and hope) Tanghe will beat Michel.
Very good entrylist in DS3 R3 cup, previous years this cup was in the shadow of the 208 cup.

[vino_93]

I' not so sure about Tanghe ... but Touquet is one of his favorite events. He is already fast there. So maybe he can do it, as Michel comes from the mountains. But for me, Michel is top national class driver. Still young, coming from cups, with the possibility to do an international carrier. As Tanghe is a very good but only gentleman driver.

[SpeedEstRacing]

test day for some regional pilots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrTIAtqj4ek

[Rally Power]

As expected, WRC’s are leading Rallye du Touquet ahead a pack of R5’s. Brunson leads 21s ahead of Salanon in an identical Fiesta WRC. Sylvain (Fabia) is in flying mode, dominating R5 field and beating Roche (Mini WRC) for 3rd overall. Roulliard in a restricted 3.8 911 is far away, fighting with last R5’s guys.

Like usual, fine coverage from http://www.rallye-sport.fr/es16-touquet-2016/

[JTGANG]

Amazing performance from Michel in his debut with R5,has already won 5 stages.....Great battle also between the Citroen DS3's ,strange that were ahead of Guigou prior of his accident

[Mirek]

Final results:

1. Brunson (Fiesta WRC) 1:46:40,4
2. Salanon (Fiesta WRC) +21,1
3. Michel (Fabia R5) +30,9
4. Roche (Mini WRC) +46,6
5. Tanghe (Fiesta R5) +3:20,2
6. Ragues (DS3 R5) +5:07,5
7. Mauffrey (208 T16 R5) +5:27,5
8. Rouillard (911 GT3) +5:42,2
9. Raynal (Fiesta R5) +5:53,0
10. Rossel (DS3 R3T) +6:10,4

Very impressive debut from Michel indeed! Other R5 drivers were nowhere close to him. In the end he won 6 out of 18 stages against the WRC drivers.

[Rally Power]

With WRC's running on RRC's specs (but with 30mm restrictor) french championship would be amazing.

[Mirek]

Nobody would drive them then. They would be just very expensive toys.

[vino_93]

I think WRC will be banned from main championship for next year. Running second division and gravel onyl.
Or they will be able to run the event, but without taking points - you know, why do it easy ... politics story to follow this year.


So, amazing Michel, nice to see him so strong. It will be nice battle with Bonato all the season
Other great race has been done by Rossel, dominating Citroën Cup. Don't know if he will do JWRC this year, or only focus on CRT.
CRTJ has been won by Loïc Astier, a guy with a lot of experience (4th season).

[Rally Power]

Nobody would drive them then. They would be just very expensive toys.

Current owners would, for sure. The initial investment it's already made and running cost must be very similar as they are more reliable than R5's.

The 30mm restrictor proved to be a good way to match RRC's and R5 speed. It's a mystery why FIA imposed the 28mm.