The city of Nice is set to become the motorsport hub from 17-19 October, as it hosts the grand finale of the French Rally Cup. This marks a special year for the event, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024. Organized by the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur League in collaboration with ASAC Nice and ASA BTP, this event is a significant gathering for amateur motorsport enthusiasts, featuring 226 teams battling across eight special stages.
The event will center around the impressive Allianz Riviera stadium in the Saint-Isidore district of Nice. Over the course of three days, the automotive leagues will come together to share their passion, celebrate their members, and showcase the rich motorsport culture of their regions.
Since its inception in 1984 by the French Federation of Automobile Sports (FFSA), the French Rally Cup has been a pivotal competition in the motorsport calendar. Each season begins with a regular series where teams accumulate points to qualify for the finale. On average, the Cup sees participation from 10,000 drivers and co-drivers across more than 250 scheduled events. The question on everyone’s mind: who will succeed Léo Rossel and Guillaume Mercoiret, last year’s champions?
This year’s course features iconic routes such as Col du Turini and Col Saint-Roch. Local favorites like Cyril Audirac in his Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 and Anthony Puppo in the Hyundai I20N Rally2 are expected to lead the pack. However, they face tough competition from seasoned racers such as Denis Millet and Yannick Vivens, making the race unpredictable. Altogether, 16 Rally2 class cars will vie for the trophy.
Pierre Gosselin, President of the French Federation of Automobile Sports, highlighted the significance of the event: “The French Rally Cup Final is more than just a competition; it’s a culmination of the season’s efforts and a major festival for amateurs that brings substantial economic benefits to the host city and surrounding areas.” He also commended the local leagues and their presidents for their roles in bringing the finale to Nice, and praised the diverse, challenging terrains of the Nice hinterland as ideal for the competition.
Gosselin also expressed gratitude towards the municipal government of Nice, the regional government of Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and the various private partners for their support in organizing this event. He concluded by thanking the numerous volunteers who make this celebration of amateur motorsport possible.
As the city gears up for this significant event, both participants and spectators eagerly anticipate what promises to be a thrilling and memorable finale to the 2024 French Rally Cup.