WRC – Presentation of the Rallye de France-Alsace

If our dear country still does not have its Grand Prix F1 despite the presence in 2012 of three of its nationals, it has with the Rally of France-Alsace a round of the world rally championship meeting with impressive popular enthusiasm each year. “I am delighted with the results of our event, which has been an undeniable success after three editions organized in Alsace, underlines Nicolas Deschaux, President of the FFSA. Beyond the sporting aspect and the intensity of this international competition, the work of the organizing team and all of its partners made it possible to offer ever-increasing spectators a spectacle unusual, free and accessible to all. This third edition also gave the start to an exceptional collaboration with the Sport+ channel of the Canal+ group. A world first in the World Rally Championship, the event was broadcast live and in full for four days. I am delighted that the Rallye de France-Alsace is once again the most publicized rally of the 2012 world championship with nearly 176 million viewers around the world. The 2013 edition is part of this dynamic. »

The route was therefore unveiled this morning, in Paris, in the presence of the VW driver Sébastien Ogier and Yves Matton (Director of Citroën Racing). “The 2013 route was designed in close collaboration with state services and according to the format recommended by the FIA” specifies Dominique Serieys, Director of the Rallye de France-Alsace. The Zénith de Strasbourg remains the sole nerve center of the event and will house the main rally infrastructures.

The festivities will begin on Thursday, October 3, with a morning shakedown in the Hautepierre district. In order to offer more spectacle, a new section of 1,9 kilometers has been added to the ESS2 “Strasbourg” route. New for 2013 and a French innovation as part of the World Rally Championship, ESS1 will serve as a Power Stage.

Compared to last year, the order of stages 2 and 3 has been changed. The competitors will set off on Friday October 4 on the roads of Bas-Rhin and the Vosges, with a loop of three special stages to be completed twice and 116,08 kilometers of timed tests on the program. The special test “Vosges? Pays d’Ormont” is the one which has undergone the most changes this year. Shortened by around ten kilometers, this special will offer competitors the opportunity to cover a completely new first section, passing through the Col de Raids. Justice of the peace for this second stage, SS 4-7 retains all its sporting intensity.

The third day, hosted in Haut-Rhin, remains the richest stage (with 134,93 timed kilometers) and will keep the city of Colmar as a hub. The competitors will compete on Saturday October 5 on the now classic ES “Hohlandsbourg? Firstplan” and “Soultzeren? Pays Welche”, whose variety of routes and sporting intensity are real assets. The “Vallée de Munster” special stage, however, was subject to some modifications, for logistical and weather reasons. Thus, the mileage of the ES will be revised this year to 16,73 kilometers.

Finally, the fourth and final stage, contested on Sunday October 6, includes 56,58 timed kilometers and takes place in the same order as in 2012. Reduced by 2,5 kilometers in the northeast sector, the ES “Vignoble of Cleebourg” will remain just as delicate. The formats of the other two specials having been praised by all last year and reinforcing the sporting intensity of the Rally, the ES “Bischwiller? Gries” and “Haguenau” remain the same and will traditionally offer the City of Haguenau the honor of welcoming the local child, before the competitors return to the Zénith de Strasbourg, for the arrival ceremony.