Sylvain Michel champion, Lefebvre winner in Vaucluse

After his national title obtained on asphalt in 2016, Sylvain Michel (Skoda Fabia R5) won his second coronation in the French Championship by climbing to the last step of the podium in the Rally Terre de Vaucluse after winning in Castine and Cardabelles.

“The results are positive, we have scored big points each time and it is not far from being a perfect season. My engineer was great and he will recognize himself! », welcomed the new French Land Rally champion.

Stéphane Lefebvre (Citroën C4 WRC) remained comfortably in the lead by signing the scratch in each special stage of the second stage. The Northerner won with almost a minute ahead of Thibault Durbec's DS 3 WRC after having signed a total of 7 best times, Thibault Durbec and Sylvain Michel being the only others to be fastest.

“It's not bad to win a week after the Condroz!, rejoiced the former JWRC champion. It's great to achieve a victory with the Citroën C4 WRC. Thanks to Jean-Marie Cuoq who had the initiative to make me ride here. We worked well on the car and I hope it suits him better from now on. For next year, nothing has been decided and we will work this winter to find a steering wheel. »

The Top 5 is completed by Hugo Margaillan (Citroën C3 R5) and Lionel Baud (C3 R5) who took advantage of the retirement of Cyrille Féraud (C4 WRC) who went off the road in the 9th special. Julien-Alexandre Courchet (Ford Fiesta R5) is 6th ahead of Jean-Michel Raoux (Fabia R5) and Paul Lamouret (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX).

Discover the report of the Rallye Terre de Vaucluse in issue 2191 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.