Rallye Monts et Coteaux – Esparcieux does it again

Following heavy snowfall, the first stage on Friday was canceled. The next day, the rally finally left but with around thirty packages. On extremely slippery roads, the first ones made the track and it was Julien Saunier (Clio), who started in 42nd position, who set the best time in the first two times.

Unfortunately he had to retire due to mechanical problems in the following stage. At the regrouping park, Esparcieux was in the lead with only 4” ahead of Jeudy (205), while Atzner and Delorme were already more than a minute behind the leader.

In the second loop, the road conditions improved and Esparcieux took three stage wins to win in the end with a lead of almost 2', thus signing his second consecutive victory in this event. Although comfortably seated in 2nd place, Jeudy went off the road, letting Artzner slip towards the podium.

However, a problem in the last special caused him to lose more than 50 seconds and he had to give up runner-up place to Delorme. Small consolation, he won the Group for the second time in a row F2000 for only 4” ahead of Guichard.

The first dominator in Group A, Saunier gave up and let Riberon (Clio) set the best times before the mechanics gave way in the final time. Terrana just had to advance to the final podium. In Group N, Bert achieved a perfect flawless performance and won with a lead of more than 2' over Oniewski (Mégane RS).

F. Lombard

Ranking: 1. Esparcieux-Duc (Skoda Fabia R5) in 58’46” (1st Gr. R), 2. Delorme-Delorme (Citroen C2 R2) at 2’04’’, 3. Artzner-Girard (Peugeot 106) at 2'27'' (1st Gr. F2000), 4. Guichard-Ferreira (309) at 2'31'', 5. Grande-Guirado (208) at 3'21'', 6. Felices-Fayard (Clio Max R3) at 3'44'', 7. Genthial-Genthial (Saxo) at 3'53'', 8. Bourrat-Bourrat (208) at 4'09'', 9. Neusch-Vignon (207) at 4'10'', 10. Bert-Bonnard (Subaru Impreza) at 4'31'' (1st Gr. N), 11. Terrana-Ancel (BMW 325i) at 4'32'' (1st Gr. A) , etc.