Turckheim – Trois Épis: Starck and Werver winners, Ritchen champion!

A second combined with the two best times achieved on Sunday: this is what separated the three leading men in the Sport category at the start of the third and final climb of the race. We therefore had to wait until the very end of the meeting to find out who was going to win, while the clock was ticking and the light was visibly fading. In an incredible final effort, around 20 p.m., it was finally the Belgian Corentin Starck who won at the wheel of his Nova Proto NP01 1.1 Turbo to sign the first major success of his career. “Two months ago, I was on the side of the road because of a mechanical breakdown. Winning today in Turckheim is completely crazy! » he admitted, groggily, during the awards ceremony.

In his final attempt, Starck thus outdistanced Billy Ritchen who, with this second position overall, took the opportunity to claim the title of French Mountain Champion with one event remaining. More than 15 years after his debut in hill racing, this season having seen many of his competitors find themselves on the ground, was the good one, at the end of the effort for the driver of the Nova V8. Fabien Bourgeon did not hesitate, and offered a new podium to a car that came from the family workshops by taking third position overall on his Revolt 3P0 1.7 Turbo as well as the absolute best time of the weekend.

Billy Ritchen wins his first title of French Mountain Champion. © Nicolas Millet

En catégorie Production, le début de journée allait coûter cher à Ronald Garcès : d’abord crédité du meilleur temps, il devait accuser une pénalité de 10 secondes pour un appui jugé volontaire sur la chicane située après le départ. Nicolas Werver, de retour avec sa nouvelle Porsche 997 GT3 R, en profitait et prenait les commandes sans les lâcher jusqu’à l’arrivée. Chez lui, l’Alsacien signait une nouvelle victoire de prestige. “Winning this race is special: organized by my ASA and taking place at home, it is important to me and winning it is a great honor”, confided the eight-time French Mountain Champion as he got out of his car.

The unfortunate Garcès, however, ended up grabbing 2nd place overall, synonymous with victory points in the championship since Werver was “transparent” (the driver is not entered in the championship this season). Third, David Meillon suffered a mechanical failure on the last climb, preventing him from defending his chances of victory. Note that Yannick Poinsignon finished the event in 4th place in the scratch ranking. The title will therefore be decided at Limonest – Mont-Verdun, in 15 days, on the heights of Lyon, during the 13th and final round of the season.

Nicolas Werver proved the potential of his Porsche 997 GT3 R by winning at home. © Nicolas Millet

Ranking

September 03-04. Sleeve 12/13

Sport : 1. C. Starck (Nova Proto NP01 1.1 Turbo) in 4'53''436 (1st E2SC), 2. B. Ritchen (Nova Proto NP01 V8) in 4'53''810, 3. F. Bourgeon ( Revolt 3P0 1.7 Turbo) in 4'54''000, 4. K. Petit (Norma M20FC CN+) in 4'56''898 (1st CN), 5. M. Cotleur (Norma M20FC CN+) in 5'01' '203, etc. Best climb: Bourgeon 2'26''424

Production : 1. N. Werver (Porsche 997 GT3 R) in 5'34''458 (1st GTTS), 2. R. Garcès (Lamborghini Huracan Supertrofeo) in 5'36''654, 3. D. Meillon (Lamborghini Huracan Supertrofeo) in 5'42''208, 4. Y. Poinsignon (BMW M3 E92) in 5'42''209, 5. P. Reutter (Porsche 991.2 Cup) in 5'45''549, etc. Best climb: Werver 2'46''564