Rallye Terre Castine – Franceschi solid leader

Bretenoux and the Lot department are hosting the second round of the French Terrestrial Rally Championship this weekend.

Starting with the number 1 on the doors of his Fabia Rally2 evo, Mathieu Franceschi was the victim of a sweep in SS 1 before taking advantage of the Cazillac special to take control of the rally to the detriment of Matthieu Margaillan (Fabia R5).

Author of placed attacks, Franceschi also took advantage of the setbacks of his opponents to finish the first day as leader with more than 40 seconds ahead of his pursuers. “I think the results are good. We performed well in the roughest stage and in the others we rode cleanly, analyzed the leader after the first stage. The terrain is magnificent except for the first. Tomorrow, we will have to apply ourselves. »

First leader of the rally with his scratch in SS 1, Matthieu Margaillan suffered a puncture in the following special and lost more than 30'' to the fastest. Second, 42 seconds behind Franceschi, Margaillan knows he lost big during this first stage. “The results of this day are mixed, observed the driver of the Fabia R5. We are second, it's a shame. We didn't make the right choice of tires and they are almost dead. I have to get used to it. »

Revelation of the Terre des Causses with a podium for his first rally at the wheel of the Fiesta Rally2, Florent Todeschini confirmed his top speed on the Castine specials by fighting once again in the Top 3. Victim of a mechanical problem with engine heating problem, the 2021 French Junior Champion managed to reach the finish. “We are here, that’s the main thing, the assistance will be able to repair, whispered Todeschini. As soon as the alarm went off, we switched to "road" mode, then we preferred to return slowly. »

Benjamin Clémençon (i20 R5) and Jean-Marc Manzagol (i20 R5) completed the Top 5 of this first day.

Stung by Louis Constant (208 Rally4) in the first special, Rhénane Gany responded in the following two stages to climb to the top of the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup standings. Behind, three drivers were fighting for runners-up: Louis Constant, Terence Callea and Hugo Louvel. The three drivers were within 9 seconds. The last step will be decisive.

As usual, the Clio Trophy France Terre drivers were fighting for seconds. Mattéo Chatillon (Clio Rally5) and Florian Bouchonneau (Clio Rally5) shared first place at the start of the day. Ultimately, it was Chatillon who had the last word during the first loop.

Florian Condamines took advantage of SS 4 to distinguish himself while Chatillon had to hand in his logbook for mechanical problems in this same special. Condamines retained control of the Trophy ahead of Florian Bouchonneau and Tom Vauclare, who made a good start at the wheel of the Clio Rally5.

Castine ranking at the end of the first stage.