Autumn Rally – Ragues will discover the new Fabia RS Rally2

With 13 participations in 24 hours of Le Mans and an FIA R-GT World Cup winner's title, Pierre Ragues is one of the eclectic drivers able to move from the circuit to rally and vice versa. This year, the President of the Normandy Automobile Sports League stands out this season in the French Land Rally Championship at the wheel of the Clio Rally3.

The Norman took advantage of a break in the gravel calendar to return to asphalt by entering the Autumn Rally. “It’s a very nice rally which is very well organized and we have regularly participated in this event. We know the terrain a little and we have always enjoyed driving on these roads. Julien Pesenti, my co-driver is from La Rochelle. He is a very good friend and it is inconceivable not to participate in “his” rally. It’s a bit like a rally at home for our crew, explains Pierre. It’s an unmissable event for all Charentais residents. »

Ragues will take advantage of his return to the asphalt to take the wheel of a new weapon: “We received the new Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 a few days ago. The timing of the Autumn Rally, between Terre de Cardabelles and Terre du Vaucluse, allowed us to participate in our first rally at the wheel of the very latest Rally2 approved by the FIA. All the lights were green for us to take part in this rally. »

An experience gain for Pierre Ragues

Regularly in the Top 5 of the Autumn Rally, Pierre knows the specificities of the event and could take on the status of favorite with the number 1 on the doors. “We are going to discover this new car. We are starting with number 1, the drivers are undoubtedly waiting for us, but we must not forget that our last rally on asphalt dates back to the Croatia Rally in 2022 with the Polo GTI R5. Some have just come out of the final of the French Rally Cup, they will quickly get into the rhythm, he tempers. Since then, we have driven on asphalt with theAlpine A110 Rally and the behavior is diametrically opposite, this will not be obvious. » As a competitor, Pierre still wants to win: “I'm going to try, but I don't have the energy to fight for victory. If we don't succeed, we won't be disappointed. We have to take the time, we have no pressure. The objective is to gain experience behind the wheel of the car. »

The Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 is one of the leaders in its category. ©Bastien Roux / DPPI

A story of trust 

To perfect his experience in the discipline, Ragues entered the French Terrestrial Rally Championship this season. “It's a good way to progress, whether in car control, engaging in dirty parts or taking notes. Competing in gravel rallies is essential to making good progress and I already feel like I have gained confidence. »And confidence will undoubtedly be the key word of this 65th edition of the Autumn Rally. Indeed, after a first day of three special stages contested from 19 p.m. Friday evening, the drivers will attack a second marathon stage with 11 timed sectors on the program. “It’s a bit of the signature of this rally,” adds Pierre. In particular, there are a lot of night specials (around half the rally, editor's note). We are more used to driving under the light of headlights, but I am looking forward to seeing and applying my experience acquired on gravel rallies. It is a rally with a homogeneous profile. The stages are known, they are very fast and experience will undoubtedly pay off on this type of terrain. There are a lot of “full-on” corners and whoever is confident could open up gaps quickly. » 

One thing is certain, with 15 Rally2s at the start the fight looks promising for a rally which notably saw the victory of Yvan Muller in 2000 at the wheel of an Escort RS Cosworth and that of Sébastien Loeb as part of the Citroën Trophy in 1999.

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