Central Alsace, Olliergues, Venasque… Eight upcoming rounds of the French Rally Cup

While the best pilots of rally Rallye enthusiasts are in full swing in Croatia this weekend as the French Rally Cup takes center stage with no fewer than eight events. Among these rallies, two are national events, allowing competitors to accumulate points towards qualification for the French Rally Cup Final, scheduled for October 16th and 17th in Remiremont (Vosges). The Ronde de la Giraglia, cancelled earlier this week due to a fishermen's blockade of the island's ports, was of course one of these events.

Central Alsace Rally (N): Debates already underway

77 crews started the Rallye Centre Alsace in Châtenois on Friday evening. At the end of the Prologue, Nazim Bangui – Léa Sam Caw Freve (Citroën C3 Rally2) took the lead over Terry and Laurie Folb (Škoda Fabia R5) and David and Agatha Kastler (Porsche 997 GT3). But this hierarchy is currently very uncertain: indeed, a big day awaits the competitors this Saturday, April 11th, with another 90 kilometers of timed sections to complete. German driver Uwe Gropp (Citroën C3 Rally2) is present, as are Thierry Colney and Bruno Godtler in a Porsche 991 GT+, perhaps also contenders to watch for the rest of this rally.

Val de Boutonne Rally (N): Mixed Field

See a Renault Starting a rally with the number 1 on its doors in 2026 is not a common occurrence. It will become a reality this Saturday at the start of the Val de Boutonne Rally, as Mathias de Sousa, winner of last year's event in his Citroën C3 Rally2, will be taking the start with his new 1990s hot hatch, alongside Kevin Millet. His cousin Cédric, accompanied by Ronan Choucroun (Volkswagen Polo R5 GTi), will also be among the contenders for victory, as will Jimmy Thibaudeau and Mattéo Pineau (Porsche 997 GT+), Philippe and Alexandra Rageau (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo), and the other competitors in the Rally2 class.

Rallye Autocourse (R): Michel Morin, alone against all

Aboard the only R5/Rally2 entered in the Rallye Autourcourse, based in Bléré (Indre-et-Loire), Michel Morin, co-driven by his wife Carol in their Ford Fiesta R5, will have to contend with the numerous two-wheel-drive vehicles present at the event. Alain and Florence Colin (Porsche 991 GT+), Philippe Taffonneau – Loïc Sebire (Alpine A110 GT+), Jean-Luc and Alexandra Roché (Alpine A110 RGT) not forgetting the three Renault Maxi led by Sebastien & Nicolas Blondel (Mégane), Jean-Philippe & Didier Blondel and Jérôme & Cyril Vaucel (Clio) will have arguments to make.

Balcon Est du Vercors Rally (R): 102 crews at the start

It is in Vif, Isère, that the 102 crews entered in the Rallye du Balcon Est du Vercors will meet this Saturday, April 11. Florian and Camille Chalon (Škoda Fabia R5), as well as Laurent Lacomy – Emmanuel Chene (Citroën C3 Rally2), will be the only two representatives of the top category in this rally, where Christian Leonardi – Elsa Plano (Alpine A110 GT+), Stéphane Vedelago – Stéphane Latrémé (Clio Rally3) or Louis Palazzi Vallier – Christophe Ceccato (Alpine A110 GT+) in order to aim for a place on the final podium of the event.

Rallye du Pays d'Olliergues (R): Jean-Baptiste Franceschi, Guest Star of the weekend

He might not have been expected at this event, but Jean-Baptiste Franceschi will indeed be making his return to competition in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 at the Rallye du Pays d'Olliergues (63) this weekend. Co-driven by Stéphane Moulin, the two-time French Gravel Rally Champion will logically start with the number 1 on the doors of his car prepared by AMD Motorsport. He will nevertheless have to keep an eye on Gérard André and Cédric Valentin (Škoda Fabia R5) in his slipstream, as well as the legendary Cédric Robert and his BMW M3 E30, in which he will be co-driven by Daniel Gatteaux.

Quercy Rally (R): R5 battle expected

The first generations of the R5 will be prominently featured at the Rallye du Quercy in Lalbenque (Lot). Julien Marty – Jean-Luc Maury and Nicolas Rouillard – Christel Olivet will debut their Citroën DS3 R5s, while Loïc Grondin – Philippe Curel and Anthony Ulbert – Florent Liraud will be at the start of the rally in Hyundai i20N R5. Frédéric Meurant – Kévin Aumenier (Škoda Fabia R5) and Maurice Ramon – Pascal Plagnard (Ford Fiesta R5) will also try to make their mark. The rally will take place on Sunday, April 12th.

Rallye des Salines (R): R5 battle expected

The town of Coudeville-sur-Mer in the Manche department hosts the 5th edition of the Rallye des Salines this weekend. A car in the R5/Rally2 class will be present: the Škoda Fabia R5 of Alban Mazire and Eve Pégard. Another Škoda Fabia, this time an S2000, will start right behind the first crew, with Bruno and Steve Reydellet. The Bonvoisin family, with Margaux driving and Séverine in the co-driver's seat, will debut their Opel Corsa Rally4, but it is perhaps among the rest of the entry list that other potential podium contenders will be found. Julien Vernier and his Citroën Saxo are a prime example. F2/ 13.

Venasque Rally (R): Several approaches to victory

The entry list for the Rallye de Venasque, in Monteux in the Vaucluse region, is certainly the most unusual of the weekend. Cédric Scotto la Chianca, co-driven by Mélanie Basso, will start with number 1 on the doors of his Škoda Fabia R5. But behind him, he will find Philippe Baffoun and Mathieu Maurin (Ford Fiesta). WRC), Nicolas Schifano – Angeline Ravier (Alpine A110 GT+) or, quite unusually for a regional rally, the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 of a driver who could also have a say in the victory, Pierre-Edouard Roussat, co-driven by his wife Maud.

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