Rallye du Touquet – Ciamin at the controls

The first racing event occurred in the first special of the Rally. Yoann Bonato (C3 Rally2) suffered a broken transmission while braking. Quentin Gilbert (C3 Rally2) set the best time and became the first leader of the rally.

A few meters and then Yoann Bonato and Benjamin Boulloud go © Bastien Roux / DPPI

Engaged for a full program with the i20 N Rally2 of the 2C Compétition team, Nicolas Ciamin scored the scratch in the following special (Beussent-Parenty) and took the lead in the provisional classification. From then on, the driver from Nice, winner at Antibes and Var last year, showed his ability to adapt at the wheel of a car that he is still discovering. Increasingly comfortable at the wheel of the i20, Ciamin, co-driven by Yannick Roche, set the best times to regularly widen the gap on his pursuers. “With nightfall, the tires took longer to warm up,” analyzed Ciamin at the finish of SS 6. “Everything went well, we are very happy.

GILBERT Quentin, GUIEU Christopher © Bastien Roux / DPPI

First leader of the rally, Quentin Gilbert (C3 Rally2) moved up to second place during the final special of the day. He was 20 seconds behind the leader on the evening of this first day. Enough to fuel hopes for the second and final stage. “I gave everything, I really attacked,” admitted Gilbert at the finish of SS 6.

In the running for the 2021 Champion title until the start of the last rally of the season, Quentin Giordano (Polo GTI R5) had a mixed first loop between grip problems and form. The Sarrazin Motorsport driver was more confident during the second loop and placed himself in ambush behind Ciamin and Gilbert. “I didn't take any risks in the last special, the second stage is still long,” emphasized Giordano.

GIORDANO Quentin, PARENT Kevin, Volkswagen Polo © Bastien Roux / DPPI

Author of a very serious attack while driving his Alpine A110 Rally, Cédric Robert was on par with the Rally2/R5 drivers by being in the Top 3 on different occasions. The driver in the colors of Yacco lubricants finished the first day at the gates of the podium with the firm intention of securing a place in the Top 3 on Saturday evening in addition to the victory in two-wheel drive.

Pierre Roché (C3 Rally2) had a solid first stage on the tricky Le Touquet special stages and completed the Top 5 ahead of Hugo Margaillan (C3 Rally2) who put in a good performance for his debut at the wheel of a Rally2.

Pierre and Martine Roche / Team FJ © Bastien Roux / DPPI

With 10 special stages on the program for the second stage and 109,20 km of timed sections, the Rallye de Touquet will once again be the scene of tussles over the seconds. The start of SS 7 is scheduled for Saturday morning from 8:38 a.m.

General classification :