Rally – Sarrazin entered in Var with the Oreca R4 kit

After several months of intensive testing in the south of France, the Oreca team will debut its R4 kit on the occasion of the Rally du Var (November 23-26) entrusted to the crew formed by Stephane Sarrazin et Jacques-Julien Renucci. L’auto, sur base de Toyota Etios, portera le numéro 0 sur ses portières, c’est-à-dire qu’elle évoluera en-dehors du classement général et précèdera les concurrents engagés dans la compétition, including nine-time world champion Sébastien Loeb.

For Stéphane Sarrazin, at the head of his own stable since last spring, this announcement sounds like the completion of all the shadow work accomplished this season. “From the beginning I was very involved in testing the kit. Engaging the car in a round of the French Championship – and what’s more the Var – is a form of both challenge and accomplishment. », underlines the winner of the championship in 2004. “We have everything to prove in this event. The test sessions showed us that the car is reliable and efficient, it is now time for those involved in rallying to discover it in turn. »

The commitment to the Var sounds like a return to basics for Hugues de Chaunac, President of the Oreca group. “We are an international company but attached to the region (she is based in Signes in the Var), it will therefore be special especially since the R4 kit is developed with certain local partners. It will undoubtedly be an interesting experience and it shows the seriousness with which we are preparing this R4 kit. »

The final round of the French Asphalt Championship will be the first public release of the R4 kit. This, developed exclusively by Oreca for the next three seasons, is available for sale and can be adapted to any type of vehicle sold in more than 2 units per year. The engine, standardized at 500 liters, is turbocharged and powers four-wheel drive. The first sale has been made official early October by the Renault Spain team.