It's a delight

Lionel Régal has finally overcome the Indian sign by finally registering his name on the list of winners of the opening event of the French championship. His Japanese formula Reynard, with its engine management renovated this winter, ran like clockwork this year, allowing him to set the best time in practice and then on each of the three race climbs. He even took the opportunity to twice beat the record set by Chambérod in 2004. The season promises to be very competitive, however, because the winner has never really let go of his main adversaries. Delayed by his box at the start of the race, the young Schatz came within 6 tenths of it on the last climb. Fabien Frantz only conceded three on the first climb of the race while Petit came very close to the podium after suffering all weekend from irregular fuel pressure.

A peines tombées des tréteaux, les trois barquettes Norma construites par le Béarnais Norbert Santos ont réussi leur baptême du feu. Cyrille Frantz a débuté victorieusement devant son ancienne Osella pilotée par Latreille alors que Castellana et Cannata étaient dans le même rythme que Bassora, troisième sur sa barquette M20 de 2005. En Grand Tourisme, l?entrée en scène des « spéciales » s?est résumée au superbe duel des Porsche 996 Cup de Werver et Soutrenon, devant qui Dosières dut sortir le grand jeu pour garder la tête des voitures fermées. Dans le peloton fourni des M3 groupe N, le favori Pascal Cat s?est logiquement imposé devant le jeune Tourangeau Cosson, auteur d?un début remarqué et déjà coleader du challenge espoirs. Suite au remplacement du groupe FC par le F2000 and the abdication of the old king Lhermet, the hopeful Dimitry Nugue was ready to follow in his footsteps without an unfortunate “beret” on the first climb. More fear than harm for the young Lyonnais who hopes to recover his Peugeot 306 XSi at Col Saint Pierre.

1. BAGNOLS-SABRAN

1st round of the French championship on April 4 & 5, 9 km west of Bagnols sur Cèze (Gard) – Length: 2,9 km? Elevation difference: 120 m? Ranking: best of the 3 race climbs – Runners: 131? Ranked: 123? Conditions: Very good weather? Attendance: approximately 4000 spectators.

RANKING

1. Régal (Reynard 1 KL nippon) 1?16??830 (1st of the single-seaters) – 2. Schatz (Lola T 94/50) at 0??456? 3. F. Frantz (Reynard 92) at 1??147? 4. Sébastien Petit (Reynard 95) at 0??105? 5. Baudin (Reynatd 1 KL) at 2??281? 6. Ritchen (Lola B 99/50) at 2??865? 7. A. Thomas (Lola B 99/50) at 3??167? 8. Mouth (Reynard 99L) at 3??236 – 9. C. Frantz (Norma M20) at 4??085 (1st of the sport protos)? 10. Latreille (Osella PA 20) at 2??234? 39. Dosières (BMW 320 ST) at 15??323 (1st Touring) – 41. Werver (Porsche 996 Cup) at 15??985 (1st Special GT)? 50. Cat (BMW M3) at 19??113 (1st Gr. N)? 53. Januel (CG 1600) at 19??845 (1st Gr. FC)? 71. Boillot (Rally 3) at 23??639 (1er Gr F2000) – 76. Lamarche (Nissan 350 Z) at 24??317 etc.

CHAMPIONS
1. Treat 38 pts? 2. Schatz 32 ? 3. C. Frantz 30? 4. F. Frantz 28? 5. Small 24? 6. Latreille 24 – 7. Dosières, Cat, Boillot and Lamarche 23? etc.
PROMOTION: 1. Januel 12 pts? 2. Baby 10? 3. Ressouche 10? etc.