Var – Bonato Champion, Sarrazin leader

On a favorable ballot after his fifth victory of the season at the end of the Critérium des Cévennes, Yoann Bonato (C3 Rally2-CHL Sport Auto) left for a waiting race on the specials of rally of the Var. Indeed, the 2 Alpes driver had to secure the points for a Top 8. But the crash of Quentin Giordano (Polo GTI R5-Sarrazin Motorsport) in the third special allowed Bonato to win a fourth Champion title. France even before the end of the rally. Now the owner of four French Champion titles, Yoann Bonato enters a little further into the history of French rallying since he joins Bernard Beguin, the only driver to have four titles on asphalt until now.

“It’s a very strange scenario,” confided Bonato after a first day finished in third place. However, we must keep our feet on the ground, the rally is still long. It's a good time that we will experience on Sunday, but we have to see the finish on Sunday morning. »

Stéphane Sarrazin ©Grégory Lenormand / DPPI

Sarrazin in pain

Returning to rallying after Monte-Carlo 2020, Stéphane Sarrazin (Polo GTi Rally2-Sarrazin Motorsport) reunited with his faithful co-driver: Jacques-Julien Renucci. The pair quickly found their feet to end the first day with first place in their pocket. But Sarrazin unfortunately had to face more delicate moments with the violent exit of Ludovic Gal and Geoffrey Combe in the first special then the abandonment of Quentin Giordano. Unfortunate racing facts that invade Sarrazin's mind.

Chosen by Oreca Store to drive Fabia Rally2 evo, Nicolas Ciamin placed 7 seconds behind the leader despite a choice of tires that was not entirely satisfactory for the Niçois. 

Nicolas Ciamin ©Grégory Lenormand / DPPI

Pierre Roché (C3 Rally2-Team FJ), leader of the Michelin “R5” Trophy, and Eric Mauffrey (Fabia Rally2 evo-Revo 6) complete the provisional Top 5.

In the fight with Romain di Fante (Clio RSR Rally5) to win the title of French Two-Wheel Drive Rally Champion, Cédric Robert (A110 Rally-Bonneton HDG) gives everything and is at the top of the standings while Di Fante is content to a provisional second place in RC5, the title will be decided until the last meters. 

In 208 Rally Cup, Hugo Margaillan (208 Rally4-CHL Sport Auto) is getting a little closer to the title and behind the wheel of the C3 Rally2. The local of the stage is ahead of Louis Constant (208 Rally4) and Lucas Darmezin (208 Rally4).

The match is intense between Stéphane Lefebvre (Corsa GS Line Rally4-Cilti) and Jean-Baptiste Franceschi (Clio Rally4). The two drivers fight blow for blow. The two “buddies”  are separated by less than 2 seconds before the long second stage scheduled for tomorrow.

With more than 95 kilometers to go in the special, the second stage can be the scene of many twists and turns. After leaving the parc ferme around 7:45 a.m., the first competitors will set off on the Gonfaron ES from 9:30 a.m. after passing through service.

Ranking of the 1st stage