Rallye Grasse – Flowers and Perfumes: It smells good for Riberi

At the end of a breathtaking demonstration, Bruno Riberi won for the first time in this legendary event in the Grasse hinterland which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year.

The announced standoff between the Monegasque – who was discovering the field – and Franck Lions – in Fabia discovery mode – quickly turned into a flash in the pan: back after a one-year break without a time trial, Lions (winner in 2017) indeed won the short SS1 before suffering the relentless domination of his rival until the end of rally.

Quickly taming the tortuous Riviera ES, Riberi set the scratch times, bringing his lead to 35” at the finish! Very successful last year with four victories in the Coupe de France and two Top 6 in the French championship (Antibes and Mont-Blanc), his objective this season is to qualify for the Rally Final in Albi, in October.

Installed on the podium as soon as Casciani went off the road in the 4th of the 9 SS, Maillan completed the hat-trick for the Skoda R5s. After the Roches Brunes rally, Chebil is the great revelation of the start of the year, winning a 2nd consecutive victory in F2000 while again finishing 4th overall and 1st in the 2-wheel drive. Despite some hazards, Calascione dominated from start to finish in group A, while in N, Reghessa repeated its success of 2018.

R. Alezra

Ranking: 1. Riberi-Haut Labourdette (Skoda Fabia R5) 1h10'18''9 (1st Gr. R5), 2. Lions-Veillas (Skoda R5) at 35'', 3. Maillan-Vilanova (Skoda R5) at 2'50'', 4. Chebil Delsarte-Martini (BMW Compact) at 5'02'' (1st Gr . F2000), 5. Morel-Curioz (Clio 3) at 5'22'', 6. Saluzzo-Silvestre (206) at 6'11''2, 7. Calascione-Toppi (Clio) at 6'15'' (1st Gr. A), 8. Reghessa-Delaplanche (Clio Ragnotti) at 6'15'' (1st Gr. N), 9. Urreizti-Zinthaler (Clio Williams) at 6'46'', 10. Baldecchi-Gorda (Clio Williams) at 7'03'', … 22. Bernard-Duperieu (Lotus Exige Cup) at 9'24'' (1st Gr. GT), etc.