Rally France – Sébastien Loeb wins the Rallye du Var

Sébastien Loeb had struck an almost decisive first blow last night by doubling his advantage over the Ford Fiesta of Julien Maurin at the outcome of the last special of Saturday. This morning, the French Rally Champion is gone to fault in the first special of this third stage, paving the way for an end of rally “freewheeling” for the Citroën driver. The nine-time world champion, however, concluded the Rallye du Var in a very good way by completing a fantastic final stage to relegate his runner-up David Salanon (Ford Fiesta) to more than 54″, bringing his final lead to 3'07. “The conditions were not easy on this rally, I am happy to win. It was necessary to manage the passage of water flows. But, in the last two stages, there were fewer flows but it was still wet. It was slippery but we were able to attack. » said Loeb at the finish, who bagged his third Rallye du Var after 2000 and 2009. Patrick Magnou placed his Peugeot 206 WRC third in the event.

In addition to Julien Maurin going out in the first special of the day, this last stage also saw the abandonment of Pierre Ragues (Peugeot 208 T16 R5), after a minor rollover in SS10 and of Yann Clairay (Peugeot 207 S2000), arrested on mechanical problem. The victory in the Michelin Trophy went to Franck Lions on his Peugeot 207 S2000 (5th overall), but it was Porsche by Gilles Nantet who pockets the 2014 trophy ahead of Patrick Rouillard.

Cyril Audirac wins the round of the Peugeot 208 Rally Cup and Cédric Robert, winner in the Var, wins the 2014 Citroën Racing Trophy. Charlotte Berton wins the title of French Women's Champion.

Find the full report of the Rallye du Var in issue 1989 of AUTOhebdo, available from tomorrow evening in digital version and from Wednesday on newsstands.