The Rallye du Var, final stage

Le Rally du Var, last round of the French Rally Championship, will allow the public to see more than one famous driver on the roads of the south of France. Because, in addition to the fight between Guillaume Canivenq, Manu Guigou and Patrick Henry for the title of French champion, the field has been enriched with several renowned drivers.

The most famous of them, Sébastien Loeb, six-time world rally champion, will drive his Citroën C4 WRC with his wife, Séverine, as co-pilot. “ When Olivier Quesnel offered me the opportunity to participate in this Rallye du Var with the official team and the C4 WRC, I jumped at the chance., declared the Alsatian before the start of the event. We wanted to ride in France in the absence of a World Championship event in our country this year. Being here reminds me of my beginnings. I am happy to meet pilots that I don't often meet. Séverine has always done well with grades? And I will need it with only two reconnaissance passes because I don't remember all the routes. She will have a little pressure within the official team but she is perfectly capable of sending the notes well, even in the WRC. »

Sébastien Loeb's usual partner, Daniel Elena, will be at the wheel this time, aboard a Citroën C2 R2 Max, co-driven by Olivier Campana.

Robert Kubica, who will be one of the Renault drivers F1 Team next season, will participate in the Rallye du Var aboard a Clio R3. The Pole has already had the opportunity to try it, during the Taormina-Messina Rally, a fortnight ago. He punctuated this first with a retirement, due to a broken steering arm, after hitting a wall.

« I am very happy to be here, comments the Pole. I have no experience in rallying. We will start the race slowly. I have just participated in two rallies to get used to the notes dictated by a co-driver. We will see how we progress. It is a discipline that requires a great deal of experience. The stages of the Rallye du Var are very difficult. My goal is simply to finish. »

Romain Dumas, qui avait réalisé une très belle performance au Rallye des Cévennes au début du mois avec sa Porsche 996 GT3, réédite l?expérience. Copiloté par Guilhem Zazurca, le Cévenol va tenter de réaliser un nouveau top 10 mais la tâche sera ardue, avec la présence de pilotes tels Freddy Loix, Stéphane Sarrazin? mais aussi car trois hommes seront en lutte pour le titre de champion de France.

In the middle of this tough field, Patrick Henry, Guillaume Canivenq and Manu Guigou will compete for a national crown which has hesitated all year between the three men. Henry, armed this time with a Peugeot 307 WRC, could do well but its two rivals will not be left behind so easily. In the Cévennes, facing Henry?s 206 WRC, Guillaume Canivenq managed to keep his 207 Super 2000 in the lead until the end. Verdict on Sunday around 10:30 a.m., at the end of the eleven scheduled special stages.