Pays de Fayence Rally – Riberi beyond the pitfalls

The event featured an exceptional field with a dozen R5s and some of the best national drivers. Taking control of a VW Polo, Riberi immediately began a duel with Puppo trailing 0s after 3 qualifying sessions.

Découvrant lui aussi une inédite Hyundai i20 WRC, the latter then took the advantage, relegating his rival to 19''2 after SS5, but he made a poor choice of tires in SS6 (slicks in the rain) and suddenly lost more than 40' '.

The cause was heard, Puppo would be satisfied with the final 3rd place and the victory in group A. Winner last year with a Skoda, Riberi therefore scored a 2nd success in Fayence after having resisted the breathtaking comeback of Jean-Baptiste Franceschi in the 2nd stage: appearing among the favorites, the French hope had jeopardized his chances from SS1 with a spin.

Author of great times and 3 scratches during his comeback, the Fayençois finished runner-up at 4”9. If he had stolen the spotlight from Riberi at rally of Escarène in April with his incredible R11 (3rd overall before his retirement), Boueri still made an impression: 0 seconds behind at the start of the final ES, his titanic fight against Pistachi in F2000 turned into a splendid victory (6th overall and 1st 2WD).

For his first outing on asphalt with the Fiat 500 R. Alezra

Ranking: 1. Riberi-Haut Labourdette (Volkswagen Polo R5) 47’23”9 (1st Gr. R5), 2. Franceschi-Gorguilo (Skoda Fabia R5) at 4''9, 3. Puppo-Galera (Hyundai i20 WRC) at 35'' (1st Gr. A), 4. Berard-Reyre (Fabia) at 1'08 '', 5. Maillan-Vilanova (Fabia) at 1'40'', 6. Boueri-Martini (Renault 11) at 3'46'' (1st Gr. F2000), 7. Pistachi-Authier (BMW Compact) at 3'47'', 8. Courchet-Sarrafian (Clio) at 4'38'', 9. Cypriano- Murcia (Citroën DS3) at 5'13'', 10. Casciani-Sirvins (Ford Fiesta) at 5'19'', … 23. Florès-Boniface (106 S16) at 7'15'' (1st Gr. N) , … 41. Bernard-Ourman (Lotus Exige Cup) at 8'55'' (1st Gr. GT), etc.