Frédérik Casciani, Marc Amourette, Jean-Marie Cuoq, Denis Millet and Philippe Rageau winners in the French Rally Cup

Last weekend, five rounds of the French Rally Cup took place across France. Among them were three National events, the Rally from the Annonay Basin (07), the Drap Rally (06) and the Luronne Rally (70), as well as two Regional events, the Cœur de Lion Rally (27) and the Guirlande Rally (33), were organised.

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Drap Rally (N): Frédéric Casciani the strongest

In the Alpes-Maritimes, Frédérik Casciani and Stéphane Peyronel dominated the rally in their Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. Setting five fastest times in eight stages, they won by more than a minute over an Italian crew, Luigi Minelli and Alessandro Mattioda, who were competing in the rally in a similar car. A third Italian Škoda, a Fabia RS Rally2 this time, joined Vittorio Ceccato and Stefano Tiraboschi on the podium. Tiraboschi had previously co-driven for Swiss driver Stefano Mella in the French Rally Championship. Johnny Jakobsen and Frédéric Kupélian (Porsche 997 GT3 RS cars were forced to retire due to mechanical issues. The rally notably included some legendary timed sections of the Monte Carlo Rally, such as the Col du Turini and the Col de Braus, which were featured this year in the opening round of the World Rally Championship.

Annonay Basin Rally: Jean-Marie Cuoq wins again with the Citroën C4 WRC

Each appearance of the eight-time French Gravel Rally Champion and two-time French Asphalt Rally Champion at the wheel of the Citroën C4 WRC Last weekend's event was no exception to the rule. Partnered with Eric Vallon, Jean-Marie Cuoq won the Rallye du Bassin Annonéen, but before that, he had to dig deep in his Citroën C4 WRC. Pierre-Edouard and Maud Roussat (Toyota GR Raris Rally2) were valiant opponents in their second outing with this car. Setting two fastest times, they unfortunately went off the road in the final stage and were unable to capitalize on their pace. As a result, Laurent Dufaud and Alexandre Valette (Citroën C3 Rally2) inherited second place, and the podium was completed by Arthur Lecureux, team manager of CHL Sport Auto, and Matthieu Marion, in a Alpine A110 Rally GT+.

Luronne Rally (N): First victory of the year for Denis Millet

In Luxeuil-les-Bains, the region's powerful figures were not so lucky. The Rallye de la Luronne was an opportunity to see, for the first time, [the following appears to be unrelated and possibly machine-translated text:] Hyundai Ludovic Godard and Matthieu Bôle-Richard (i20N Rally2) were quickly disappointed when mechanical problems forced them to retire. Antonin Mougin and Jonathan Sponem (Volkswagen Polo R5 GTi) went off the road in SS5, while Steve Mourey and Madlyn Brice, winners of the Spring Rally, also experienced technical difficulties. The final crew of the rally favorites didn't hesitate to take a convincing victory: Denis Millet and Guillaume Duval They therefore win at the wheel of their Volkswagen Polo R5 GTi, finishing more than two minutes ahead of Nicolas. Grosjean – Julien Eble (Škoda Fabia R5), while Fabrice Martin and Romain Gavoye (Renault The Clio Rally3 completes the podium.

Rallye Cœur de Lion (R): Marc Amourette takes the win

At the Trois Lacs rally in the Eure department, Marc Amourette and Mathieu Gauduin lived up to their status as favorites. Setting the fastest times all weekend, they won in the Trajectoire Racing Citroën C3 Rally2, finishing 30,4 seconds ahead of Jean-François Piau and Thomas Chauffray (Škoda Fabia R5) and 34,7 seconds ahead of Sylvain and Amélia Seray in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII, which currently puts its driver in the provisional lead of the Michelin Amateur Trophy in the French Rally Championship. However, the event was primarily marked by the violent off-road excursion of Benjamin Borzeix and Aude Saint Requier (Peugeot 205 GTI) in SS4. While the news is now reassuring regarding their condition, the second run through this stage has logically been cancelled. The AUTOhebdo editorial team wishes them a speedy recovery.

Rallye de la Guirlande (R): Victory for Philippe and Alexandra Rageau

Mérignac hosted the Rallye de la Guirlande last weekend. A thrilling competition unfolded between the various types of cars entered, and it was ultimately Philippe and Alexandra Rageau who emerged victorious in their Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo. They edged out Sam Taveneau, winner of the Rallye du Val de Boutonne, and Pauline Boyer, who were competing in a... by a margin of 22,5 seconds. Alpine A110 GT+. Frédéric Meurant and Kévin Aumenier, driving a Škoda Fabia R5, completed the podium. Jimmy Thibaudeau – Mattéo Pineau (mechanical failure) and Pascal Chaboseau – Michaël Dussillos (off-track excursion) both retired from the race in their Porsche 997 GT3 Cups.

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