Éric Brunson sole leader at the Rallye du Touquet

Éric Brunson is starting the 2013 French Rally Championship season on a high since he dominated the first stage of the Rally du Touquet by winning six scratches out of the seven stages contested by choosing at the start the right choice of tires with mixed compounds. The driver of the Subaru Impreza WRC finished the first day with a lead of 22 seconds over Jean-Marie Cuoq who is still discovering his new C4 WRC. “The day went rather well, with several good times”, commented the leader of the Rallye du Touquet. “I am very happy with my choice of tires, it was the best thing to do to opt for the mixed ones. The conditions are difficult, of course, but as always in Le Touquet. It's already much better than during reconnaissance. I'm ready for the second day, which will be long, knowing that I haven't created a huge gap. »

The reigning champion, Jean-Marie Cuoq, returned to regular second place previously occupied by Julien Maurin. The Ford Fiesta WRC driver then suffered a puncture, dropping him in the standings. Pierre Roché thus completes the provisional podium in his Mini Countryman WRC, one minute behind the leader. Dany Snobeck's Impreza and Xavier Lemonnier's Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Peugeot 206 WRC by Hervé Knapick. Damien Defert is a solid leader in Junior on his Renault Twingo RS R1 and has almost 30 seconds ahead of Axel Garcia while Florian Bernardi completes the provisional podium in the category.

The second stage of the Rallye du Touquet will offer five more stages to allow the crews to decide between themselves.