The Alpine A110 Rally, a standout in the realm of rally racing, marked its first competitive appearance in Japan with a striking victory at the FORUM8 Rally Japan, concluding the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) season on a high note. Piloted by the Belgian-French duo Armand Fumal and Jules Escartefigue, the car clinched the top spot in the two-wheel drive category, further extending its impressive track record on the global stage.
Dominant performance from start to finish
From the outset at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Fumal and Escartefigue demonstrated their prowess, swiftly taking the lead in their category. The rally stages through Kuragaike Park set the scene for a challenging competition as the team tackled the diverse and demanding roads of Japan. Their mastery became evident as they continued to excel through the technical routes of Mont Kasagi, Nenoue Kougen, and Ena, ultimately securing the victory by a margin of over nine minutes.
Not just a win, but a World Championship achievement
This victory not only added to the Alpine A110 Rally’s list of achievements but also positioned the Chazel Technologie Course team 18th overall and just shy of a podium finish in the WRC Masters Cup. Fumal’s outstanding performance in just three tarmac events this season catapulted him to eighth in the championship standings, showcasing the car’s versatility across different terrains.
The Alpine A110 Rally, adorned with a Japanese-inspired livery, was the center of attention throughout the rally week. Fans and motorsport enthusiasts gathered in large numbers, drawn by its iconic design and the opportunity to witness a new chapter in Alpine’s rich motorsport legacy unfold.
Armand Fumal said: “We did it! We finished this crazy rally, the most difficult on the tarmac and the most spectacular and well-organised in the WRC. We’re delighted to win the Alpine A110 Rally’s first event outside Europe. It was all the more pleasing because we played La Brabançonne for a second time on the podium after my countryman Thierry Neuville won the WRC title. We want to thank the Chazel Technologie Course team and Alpine Japan for their support throughout the event.”
Louis Chazel, Team Manager Chazel Technologie Course, said: “We are delighted to finish this fantastic Japanese adventure on the top step of the two-wheel drive podium with the A110 Rally. It was a very technical rally, with tricky roads, but the Alpine again proved its reliability and adaptability. We met our targets, and I want to thank Armand and Jules for their dedication, Alpine Japan for their unwavering support and the whole team for bringing this project to fruition. See you on the next adventure!”
