The pulses of the Citroën Racing Trophy crews will be racing as they compete on the Grand National, which is also the sixth round of the French asphalt championship. This all-new event, which will also form part of the prestigious World Rally Championship, breaks new ground for the Citroën Racing Trophy, which is sure to rise to the occasion of this latest challenge.
The majestic city of Strasbourg, classified as a world heritage site by UNESCO, will host the Rallye de France and the Grand National for the first time, putting together two topclass motorsport events. This will allow all the competitors to sample the entirety of the rally itinerary through Alsace, which is well known for being fast and tricky – particularly when conditions become foggy. Nobody holds a particular advantage over the varied route that takes in vineyards, rivers, and medieval fortresses, where reliability and endurance are key ingredients to a strong performance. While the French Championship classification is frozen at the end of 12 stages and 219 competitive kilometres, the crews will then have the chance to continue their adventures by contesting virtually all of Sunday’s stages, adding an extra 100 competitive kilometres.
This will be the perfect occasion for all the Trophy competitors to measure themselves against world-class opposition, under a format and regulations that are different to what they know. Frenchman Marc Amourette, who is sure to be a frontrunner in his C2 S1600, will meet some well-known rivals and is sure to have his heart set on starring in the category. At the wheel of the C2-R2 MAX, the fired-up Germain Bonnefis, current Trophy leader Jean-Renaud Marchal, and local man Jérôme Schmitt are likely to be at the forefront of R2 with just one objective: winning the class on this highly unusual rally. The Citroën Racing Trophy Ireland champion, Martin McCormack, will also take the start and could well give the established favourites something to think about. After making a lot of progress since the start of the season, Mathieu Artzner and Mickaël Reydellet will be super-motivated. They both now feel extremely comfortable with the C2-R2 MAX and this rally represents a golden opportunity for them to up their pace and bring home an important haul of points. Eric Lafont, codriven by his wife Nadine, is contesting the rally in order to experience something new while enjoying himself behind the wheel of his C2-R2 MAX.
Jean-François Liénéré, in charge of Citroën Racing’s customer competition department, said: “The Citroën Racing Trophy drivers will have to step up a gear on this rally, as they are going to be subject to the same rules and technical conditions of a World Rally Championship event. The pace and the format will be rather different to what
they are accustomed to, so it’s sure to be a very interesting experience. The rally route – which is reputed to be extremely quick – is going to be brand new for everyone and it is sure to test cars and people to the limit. Local weather conditions, which are often complex at this time of year, are sure to be a determining factor of the rally, where the reliability and endurance of the C2-R2 MAX will be tested more than ever.”
On Friday 1 October, the 140 crews will start the Rallye de France Alsace for three hectic days of competition between the Rhine and the Vosges.
– Credit: Citroen Racing.