Winner in 2016, Chiavaro scored two entry scratches to take the lead in the first stage with a 12'' lead over Gal and 32'' over Bonnefond. Lionel Baud (triple winner 2010, 2014, 2015) on his Ford Fiesta WRC retired like last year due to mechanical problems. The Chiavaro-Gal duel continued the next day, and Gal took the advantage over the stages.
With five best times he returned to Chiavaro and took the lead of the event by 1” two times from the finish. In the next time trial, Chiavaro made a mistake and lost almost 50 seconds, letting Gal slip away to the final victory. He then lost 2nd place following a “burn” in the parc ferme, the race direction applying the regulations to disqualify him. Crétien thus finished on the final podium in the same place as last year. In the group F2000, Bugnet was untouchable with 11 best times out of 11.
He took a superb 6th place overall behind a quartet of R5s. After his victory last year in Group N, Lecoarer (Subaru Impreza) did it again but had to battle against Greiller, author of two best times during the first stage. The next day, Lecoarer took seven out of eight stage wins and finished just outside the Top 10 overall.
F. Lombard
Ranking: 1. Gal-Belot (Skoda Fabia R5) 1h06'11'' (1st Gr. R), 2. Bonnefond-Duc (DS 3 R5) at 1'19'', 3. Cretien-Jacquemoud (Fabia) at 2'13'', 4. Duret-Generaux (Fabia) at 2'33'', 5. Bochatay-Glasson-Blanchet (Renault Clio S1600) at 2'58'' (1st Gr. A), 6. Bugnet-Echernier (Clio Maxi) at 3'24' (1st Gr. F2000), 7. Pellier-Neyret-Gigot (Peugeot 208) at 3'54'', 8. Saulnier-Pathoux (DS3 R5) at 5'09'', 9. Gaillet-Belleville (BMW 318 Compact) at 5'51'', 10. Brisgand-Sage (206 RC ) at 6'33'', … 12. Lecoarer-Maniglier (Subaru Impreza) at 6'52'' (1st Gr N), etc.
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