Mont-Dore – Chambon-sur-lac: Schatz takes off, Garcès confirms

PRODUCTION CATEGORY

It was in typical “Mont-Dore” conditions that the 61st edition of the event took part with competitors in the Production category. In the rain and during testing, Anthony Dubois imposed his Alpine A110, however, entered in the GT Sport group against the GTTS of Ronald Garcès (Audi R8 LMS Ultra) and Yannick Poinsignon (BMW M3 E92).

But in the first climb of the race, the only one contested on a completely dry track, Ronald Garcès continued the momentum of the two previous meetings by signing the best reference. Yannick Poinsignon is in the mix, but has to settle for 2nd position while Anthony Dubois sets a new GT Sport group record while confirming his third place overall.

SPORTS CATEGORY

With weather similar to that seen among their counterparts in the Production category, the open car drivers began their weekend with two test climbs won by Geoffrey Schatz (Nova NP01-2 Turbo). Behind, Damien Chambérod placed his Norma M20FC E2SC in second place, ahead of Fabien Bourgeon who found some color at the wheel of his Revolt 3P0.

On the first climb of the race, Geoffrey Schatz made everyone agree by signing... the best time ever achieved on this route as part of the French event, since the record dating from 2017 and owned by Christian Merli had been carried out under European auspices. Fabien Bourgeon took advantage of a miss from Damien Chambérod to take 2nd place and it was Billy Ritchen who, like in Marchampt en Beaujolais, took provisional 3rd place in the race.

This Sunday, the competitors in the Sport and Production categories will take the start at 3 race climbs.