Loeb: “Pickets not a good idea”

Last year, the rain and the passage of competitors through the ropes transformed the Alsatian roads into a real battlefield. In addition to the nuisance for the natives, the restoration required serious resources which the organizer wanted to reduce this year. So stakes were fixed in the curves to prevent this from happening again.

Yesterday noon, in Champenay, mini-assistance zone for reconnaissance pilots, Sébastien Loeb showed up with a car damaged on its front. Having tested the strength of these devices “to see if it could work”, he pierced the radiator of his Mitsu. “ This is not a good idea, you should not want to tease the aisles too much, he told Latest News from Alsace. Even with the racing car, it?s too risky ».

"IYou have to be able to read? the road with maximum precision, knowing that our speed is limited to 90 kilometers/hour during the two passages, he continued. On the day of the race, we go full throttle, relying on the notes taken a few days earlier. It is a work of precision and concentration ».

A few minutes earlier, Sébastien Ogier had also delivered his analysis. “ It's better than last year, because the roads are dry and the sun is out, he says. On the other hand, we must correct all our notes taken during the first edition, due to the metal stakes placed in each turn. Better not to cut the ropes, unless you have a reinforced shield! », indicated the Gapençais.

Find the Guide to Rally from France-Alsace in the 1823 issue of AUTOhebdo still on newsstands.