Limousin: Robert’s party

As the competitors left the parc ferme, around 17:30 p.m., very large black clouds had invaded the Limouge sky. A few drops even started to fall as the first special started. The choice of rubbers, more or less ??resized?? depending on the case, was it a lottery? At the finish, no driver was really satisfied with their tire option. Except the one who came in first at the end of the stage!

For Cédric Robert, leader with a 3??7 lead over Bouffier and 3??8 over Tsjoen, this result was unexpected: ?we never thought we would finish the stage in the lead. This is the first time I'm driving this 207 Super 2000, (which the team preferred to enter for budgetary reasons, instead of the 307 WRC). We had a lot of fun, we attacked well, and the result makes us very happy. Even if I think that some people hid their game in the short little show special in Limoges, so as not to open the road tomorrow. Because it will certainly be a small disadvantage. »

According to Bryan Bouffier, “??Bob?? had made a better choice of tires than us. Our tires were too recut, and they held the road poorly, because the ??grip?? was ultimately important. We were ready for the heavy rain, but it didn't come. Tomorrow, our only tactic will be to attack hard. »

As for Peter Tsjoen, the leader of the French championship, he also admitted having fitted tires that were "too soft", which quickly deteriorated. After a big scare in SS 1, he preferred to calm things down, knowing that the rally was just beginning.

On the 2-wheel drive side, ??Manu?? Guigou, sixth overall, started very strongly. He was ahead of Augoyard (on a Clio Super 2000) by more than 20 seconds, and outclassed the Citroën C2 Super 1600s of Amourette and Vigion. “We started out not very optimistic,” declared Guigou, “and we thought we would leave some behind.” even more. Tomorrow I think the weather will play tricks on us again. »

In defense of Amourette and Vigion, both experienced some problems. Amourette had chosen tires that were too typical for ??rain?? and did not have good grades, having completed the special in a big storm. As for Vigion, his gearbox control broke mid-special, and what's more, his C2 started to catch fire! Really bad luck for this young ??hope??, who plays at home, and who finished the stage in eleventh position.