Michelin Rallye Tour – Autumn Rally

4 wheels driving
Winners – Bruno Longépé and Ronan Choucroun (Volkswagen Polo GTI)

If Bruno Longépé never won the Rally of Autumn, he nevertheless won the Final of the French Rally Cup on these roads in 2014. The Final contested this year in Auvergne (Ah n°2434) took place last week and concluded with an exit route for the Loire-Atlantique pilot.
Nevertheless, from the first time trial, Longépé was reassured by finishing 3^e overall, tied with Éric Brunson, but the following two special stages were a little more complicated, including a stall in a hairpin. However, things went better the next day with two more 2^eschronos. “ These two stages fit me well, but the others are a little tighter and dirty and I struggle a little more. »

Bruno Longépé and Ronan Choucroun (Volkswagen Polo GTI)

The duo fought in the following times for 2^e place, but the rally ended like last year on the 3^e walks the podium with a big smile to boot. “ I must admit that I'm not too fond of these conditions, but I'm satisfied... more than last year! ". Bruno Longépé will keep his Polo R5 for the 2024 season, but we should see him bring out his diabolical 406 Coupé F2000 by the end of the season.

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Second – Pierre Ragues and Julien Pesenti (Skoda Fabia RS)
In 2015, the Ragues-Pesenti duo made their debut with the Skoda Fabia R5 on the Autumn Rally. In 2023, it's the opportunity to debut with its descendant, the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2. Despite his number #1 on the doors, the Norman didn't take things too seriously. “ On gravel rallies, Quentin Ribaud is putting me in Rally3, I hope to finish ahead of him this time. "(Laughs)

Pierre Ragues and Julien Pesenti (Skoda Fabia RS)

The Caennais had an excellent first stage with a merciless fight for the lead against Jordan Berfa. The second stage was a little more complicated with numerous small mistakes, then around thirty seconds lost following an exit from the road meaning the loss of podium hopes for the duo, but not in the Michelin Rally Tour. The fight with Yann Clairay seemed to delight him. “ It reminds me of when I was driving in front of him karting at the age of 10 years »
Alas, a puncture tarnished the end of the rally. “ We made too many stupid things, but we attacked well on this rally, we shouldn't be disappointed, we showed good things and we took charge of the car well. We will come back to fight for victory. » The duo ends the rally at 5^e rank and with four special victories. He will now finish his season in Rally3 at Terre de Vaucluse (November 10-12).

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Third – Éric Brunson and Stevie Nollet (Citroën C3)
Double winner of the event, Éric Brunson did not hide his enthusiasm before the start. “ It's always a rally that gives me pleasure, a complicated rally where anything can happen. You have to roll with your head. In 2019 I was 11^e on the evening of the first stage before winning the next day. »

Éric Brunson and Stevie Nollet (Citroën C3)

After a good first special, the former winner of the Autumn Rally was betrayed by his mechanics in the 2^e chrono. Determined to accumulate driving time, the duo set off again in the Super-Rally the next day, but the troubles continued with 3 minutes abandoned in a ditch and a reluctant car. “ The time lost is anecdotal, we are mainly trying to have a car that can stand on the ground, I am not confident. I'm having trouble setting a clean time, I have the impression of being suspended above the road and not being able to take the car where I want it. »
A change of set-up did not bring the hoped-for improvements at the end of the rally and we clearly felt the tandem disappointed at not having managed to win a single special. The crew will end its season with two regional rallies in Normandy with, we hope, a car in top shape.