Four rounds of the French Rally Cup from April 18th to 19th

As every weekend, several rallies are being held across France this weekend, allowing crews to rack up valuable points, crucial for representing their respective regional leagues at the next French Rally Cup Final, scheduled for October 16th and 17th, 2026 in Remiremont, Vosges. Let's take this opportunity to present the weekend's program. Note that a fifth event was originally planned for this weekend in this category, the Rally Bordeaux Aquitaine Classic, unfortunately cancelled earlier this year.

Lys Rally (N): Adrien Van Beveren faces off against the best local drivers

We last saw VBA42 on a sour note at the Le Touquet – Pas-de-Calais Rally, but here he is again, ready to erase that bad memory. Aboard a Toyota Adrien Van Beveren and Andy Malfoy, the multiple Enduropale du Touquet winner, set off this Saturday morning at the start of the Rallye de la Lys. Having already won the event in 2024, Van Beveren and Malfoy are undoubtedly among the favorites, but they will face stiff competition. Firstly, the local rally drivers, regulars at the event, are all present: Laurent Bayard and Olivier Lemaire (Volkswagen Polo R5 GTi) and Samuel Salaun and Romain Cuffel (Volkswagen Polo R5 GTi) have their sights set on victory. Secondly, former hill climb driver Fabien Ponchant, co-driven by Thomas Henrion in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, is also in the mix. The driver from northern France has, in fact, already taken a commanding lead this morning.

Rallye des Coteaux du Layon (R): 79 crews entered in the Modern Rally

Late Saturday, April 18th, the action will kick off near Valanjou, where the Rallye des Coteaux du Layon is taking place this weekend. There, Patrice and Valérie Robert (Škoda Fabia R5) will start with number 1 on their car doors and will have to keep an eye on Thomas (Škoda Fabia R5), Jérémy (Renault Clio Rally3) and Antoine (Renault Clio Rally3) Bordagaray, all entered in the event and respectively co-driven by Antoine Loiseau, Pierre Renault and Alan Autegarden, as well as Franck Beloin – Melvin Fraigne (Škoda Fabia R5). In total, 39,80 kilometers will be covered in this event.

Mouzon-Frézelle Rally (R): Quentin Gilbert aims to continue his winning streak

The former Junior World Rally Champion has embarked on a project to participate in, or even better, the 2026 French Rally Cup Final. His record so far this season is undeniable, with a victory at the Rallye du Pays Avallonais and a second-place finish at the Rallye de la Meuse. Quentin Gilbert has therefore already achieved his main objective and will be at the start of the Rallye Mouzon-Frézelle this Sunday, April 19th, as the overwhelming favorite, with Anthony Fernandes as his co-driver in the Team Gilbert Compétition Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. However, he should be wary of Steve Mourey and Madlyn Brice (Citroën C3 Rally2), as well as the legendary Eric Mauffrey, co-driven by Nicolas Febvre (Citroën C3 Rally2).

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Gard Wine Rally (R): A quality lineup in Occitanie

Held this year in the town of Saint-Gervasy instead of Remoulins (30), the Rallye des Vins du Gard is a highly popular event for motorsport enthusiasts in the south of France. Starting this Saturday afternoon, April 18th, Dorian Nicolas – Vincent Carmille (Citroën C3 Rally2) will be aiming for a performance in line with those seen in recent months, but will first have to overcome Laurent Lacomy – Jérôme Bard (Citroën C3 Rally2), Jérémie Turco – Alexandra Fontana (Citroën C3 Rally2), and the Corsican duo of Jean-Joseph Galeani, winner of this year's Rallye des Roches Brunes (Hyundai i20N Rally2), and Pierre-Paul Baltolu (Hyundai i20N R5).