A packed French Rally Cup program for Easter weekend

While the French Gravel Rally Championship will hold its second round of the season in Capdenac this weekend, for the Rally The Terre des Causses rally, the French Rally Championship 2nd Division, will kick off in Grasse, an event that will also host the French Historic Rally Championship and allow competitors to score points towards qualification for the French Rally Cup Final. But beyond these two events, numerous rallies are being held throughout France: it's time to take a look at what awaits you this weekend.

Anguison Rally (N): David Salanon as pack leader

The town of Corbigny, in the Nièvre department, is hosting the Rallye de l'Anguison this weekend, with 70 crews registered. Among them, David Salanon's Citroën C3 Rally2, co-driven for this occasion by Christopher Le Morillon, will start this Friday, April 03rd, in the late afternoon (SS1 at 5:53 pm) with the number 1 on its doors. But a minute later, Denis Millet and Matthieu Douville will set off in Millet's Volkswagen Polo R17 GTi. Already a two-time winner of the event (2023 and 2024), the former Rallye Jeunes winner finished second last year behind David Salanon, and the two were separated at the finish by only 9,1 seconds. It's safe to say they are the favorites for this edition, but they will obviously have to keep an eye on Ghislain Barbier and Yoann Bouchet with the Porsche 991 GT+: depending on the weather, the gleaming German car could also play a leading role.

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Rallye du Pays du Gier (N): Côme Ledogar aiming for a third victory this season?

In the Loire region, and more specifically in Saint-Chamond, a Porsche could once again shine at the top of the standings. Côme Ledogar, who discovered the Rallye Le Touquet – Pas-de-Calais last week, will start with the number 1 on the doors of his Porsche 991 GT+ and will be joined by Matthieu DuvalEric Mauffrey, Cédric Robert's loyal navigator, is also present at Le Touquet. They are considered the most serious contenders for victory, but will still have to keep an eye on Thierry Law-Long from Réunion Island, who will be competing in his Volkswagen Polo R5 GTi. Also of note is the presence of Philippe Greiffenberg, a regular in the French Rally Championship, driving a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. The rally will begin this Friday, April 03rd, at 20:00 PM with the first loop of two special stages, followed by six more stages on Saturday, April 04th.

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Rallye du Pays de Lohéac (N): Knapick continues its tour

After participating in the Côte Fleurie Rally earlier this year, sixty years after his first appearance in the Normandy event, Knapick isn't finished with rallying yet! The eclectic driver, co-driven by his daughter Marie-Laure Lemonnier, will take the start of the Pays de Lohéac Rally this weekend in his Citroën C3 Rally2. Based in the temple of Rallycross The world championship event will begin this Saturday, April 04th, in the late afternoon and will be primarily concentrated on Sunday, a noteworthy fact given the relative rarity of road rallies on Easter Sunday. Knapick will have to keep a close eye on former French Rally Cup Final winner Bruno Longépé and his Volkswagen Polo R5 GTi, who will be co-driven by Laurine Besson. Patrice and Valérie Robert, in a Škoda Fabia R5, will also be competing.

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Rallye du Pays de Faverges (R): Some stars in Haute-Savoy

Despite its shorter format of 39,64 kilometers, due to its regional nature, the Rallye du Pays de Faverges is a sell-out and welcomes a high-quality field this weekend. Among the favorites are Kévin Bochatay and Teddy Tournier (Alpine A110 GT+), Ludovic Godard – Pierre Blot (Alpine A110 GT+), Lucas Darmezin – Charlyne Quartini (Renault Clio S1600), Dimitri Prud'homme – Mylène Richard (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo), Michel and Méryl Giraldo (Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo), Patrice Bonnefond – Hervé Greffet (Porsche 991 GT+), and Nazim Bangui and Léa Sam-Caw-Freve, who impressed in their Citroën C3 Rally2 a few weeks ago at the Rallye de Meuse. Five special stages are on the rally's program, all concentrated on the single day of Saturday, April 04th.

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Neufchâtel-en-Bray Rally (R): In the tradition of the Touquet

In Normandy, there will also be plenty of opportunities to score points this Easter weekend. Near Neufchâtel-en-Bray (Seine-Maritime), 141 crews will line up at the start of the rally this Sunday, April 05th, with several names on the entry list who were present at the opening round of the French Rally Championship. Starting with the driver of the course car, who will be none other than Eric Brunson himself: the Norman driver, sixth at Le Touquet, will be competing for this occasion with a Toyota GR Yaris production cars will be used to ensure safety on the special stages. Richard and Manuella Vallois will start with number 1 on their doors, in an unusual Renault Clio Maxi making its first appearance. Also to be followed are Olivier Ural – Maxence Decorde (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2), and Olivier and Gwenaël Boinet (Hyundai i20N R5), Samuel and Simon Salaun (Volkswagen Polo R5 GTi) or Victorien Houyelle – Céline Berquez (Škoda Fabia R5).

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