Rally – Julien Maurin: “It’s difficult to play for victory. »

At the start of the season, Julien Maurin announced that his 2014 ambitions would be more global than national. However, at the edge of Rally du Rouergue, fifth round of the season, and which marks the transition into the second half of the calendar, it is indeed he who dominates the general classification of the championship. Except that on the Rodez side, Maurin will not have his usual mount, the Ford Fiesta RS, but the R5 version of the American. As a result, it is with lowered ambitions that he will present himself at the start of the first special at 12:18 p.m.

“I decided to come to Rodez, with the primary aim of preparing for my next world events in WRC with the R5. I will try to aim for the best possible place but I know it will be very difficult to achieve victory. » explains the reigning Champion. Victory could therefore be decided between Quentin GIlbert (Citroën DS3 WRC), Pierre Roché (Mini JCW WRC) or Jean-Michel Da Cunha (Citroën DS3 WRC) who will want to take advantage of the opportunity. THE Porsche 911 of Gilles Nantet and Patrick Rouillard will always be ones to watch, as will the return of Pierre Ragues with a Skoda Fabia S2000. The champion ELMS 2013 will be part of a field of more than 125 cars which delights Daniel Wachoru, the director of the Organizing Committee. “The plateau took a long, very long time to take shape but ultimately, it meets our expectations, both in terms of quality and quantity. We will be very happy to welcome more than 125 competitors to our event. This year we will inaugurate the ?two-day? format. and above all we have the pleasure of returning to the heart of the city of Rodez! On a sporting level, the two passages in the Nayrac special, 35 kilometers long, should be the first justice of the peace of the rally. The second stage, notably with the passage through Moyrazès, will be more ?classic? but undoubtedly as decisive as in past years. »

The rally can be followed throughout the two stages on AUTOhebdo.fr