End-to-end battles at the Lisieux Rally

Ragues struck first but Chauffray created a surprise by grabbing the stage lead on SS2 in tricky road conditions facing 4-wheel drive. Ragues responded quickly while Brunson, not in the right rhythm at the start of the rally, rectified the situation by achieving his first scratch. With a capital of more than 40%, Ragues returned as a solid leader at the end of the first stage. The next day, Brunson accumulated scratch times but Ragues resisted perfectly to take the final podium as the big winner. Behind, Pustelnik did not spare himself to come back on the excellent Chauffray, but he took the last place by 8 tenths! The Top 5 was closed by Dutot followed by Roussel, winner in Series GT ahead of Forès. Favorite of the Gr.N, Lemonnier quickly gave up and the laurels went to Bailly. In F2000, the AXs ruled the roost. Fagnen led before losing several minutes and all hope of success, letting Daigneau win. N. Thérier

Ranking: 1. Ragues-Pesenti (Skoda Fabia R5) 1h17’02”3 (1^er Gr.R), 2. Brunson-Mondon (Ford Fiesta WRC) at 21" (1^er Gr.A), 3. Chauffray-Hamard (Renault Clio R3) at 2'51", 4. Pustenik-Pustelnik (DS3 R5) at 2'51", 5. Dutot-Boulet (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9) at 5'29", 6. Roussel-Roussel (Porsche 997 GT3 RS) at 6'02" (1^er Gr.GT Series), 7. Hervieu-Le Petit (BMW M3) at 6’38”, 8. Lemaitre-Lebourgeois (Peugeot 207 S2000) at 7'33", 9. Forès-Mangeant (997 GT3) at 7'49", 10. Lejeune-Huard (Clio R3) at 8'37", 11. Daigneau-Dupont (Citroën AX GTI) at 9’47” (1^er Gr.F2000), 12. Bailly-Olivier (Clio RS) at 10’03” (1^er Gr.N), etc.