Presentation and program of the Cévennes Criterion

This is one of the monuments of the French Championship. Challenging for the drivers, the Cévennes event offers a busy program including the longest special of the season: 46,40 km!

Published 23/10/2024 à 16:31

Emmanuel Naud

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Presentation and program of the Cévennes Criterion

Photo: Bastien Roux / DPPI

The penultimate event of the season, the Critérium des Cévennes is one of the unmissable events. This year, it is particularly important since it promises to be decisive in the quest for the title. Léo Rossel (Citroën) would like to take a first victory on home soil while Yoann Bonato (Citroën) could become the absolute record holder for victories in this rally (6 wins since 2015), the two drivers are also fighting for the final title. The stakes are there!

As for the route, the organizers have put together a tough program. On Friday, the drivers will have to compete in 9 special stages including sections such as the Col du Minier. The competitors will first discover a new special stage (Le Rey/Saint-André-de-Majencoules/Mandagout) with a very Cévennes profile. After the fast Alzon sector, the bravura piece of SS 3 could live up to its promises. Then the most powerful cars should express themselves in the Col du Minier. The first day will end with a shortened version of SS 3/7.

Saturday, it's time for endurance! Indeed, if there are only four specials on the program, the drivers will have plenty to do. They will start with a 30,50 kilometer appetizer on roads that have made the history of the Critérium. After SS 12, the crews will tackle a monster with the 46,40 kilometers of the Val d'Aigoual/Les Plantiers/Sumène sector. There, physical condition, adequate settings, good tire management and optimal risk-taking could prove decisive for the final ranking. During the descent to Montpellier, the competitors will throw their last forces into the 12,70 kilometers between Pompignan and Claret. This 65th edition will also be an opportunity to pay tribute to Alain Szafarczyk, faithful organizer of the Critérium, who passed away at the beginning of the year. In his memory, the Alain Szafarczyk Challenge will be put into play. Among the drivers of the smallest engines, it will reward the author of the best performance on the longest special (SS12) of the rally.

The program of the Cévennes Criterion

Friday October 25 (292,65 km including 94,90 timed)

6:45 a.m. Departure from Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort

7:27 Assistance Le Vigan

8:10 a.m. SS1 Le Rey/St André de Majencoules/Mandagout 9,10 km

9:03 a.m. SS2 Alzon/Blandas 9,90 km

9:31 a.m. ES3 CC Pays du Viganais Mondardier/Roquedur 16,30 km

10:01 a.m. Le Vigan meeting

11:41 Assistance Le Vigan

12:59 a.m. SS4 Le Rey/St André de Majencoules/Mandagout 9,10 km

13:29 p.m. ES5 Col du Minier 13,80 km

14:42 a.m. SS6 Alzon/Blandas 9,90 km

15:10 a.m. ES7 CC Pays du Viganais Mondardier/Roquedur 16,30 km

15:40 a.m. Le Vigan meeting

17:50 Assistance Le Vigan

19:13 p.m. ES8 Fun Kart Brissac 1,60 km

20:01 p.m. SS9 CC Pays du Viganais Mondardier/St-Bresson 8,90 km

20:31 p.m. Arrival of the Le Vigan stage

Saturday October 26 (246,60 km including 101,70 timed)

7 a.m. Departure from Le Vigan

7:45 Assistance Le Vigan

8:23 a.m. SS 10 Val d'Aigoual/Les Plantiers/Col de Bès 30,50 km

9:09 a.m. ES 11 Saint-Martial-Sumène 12,10 km

9:41 a.m. Le Vigan meeting

12:21 Assistance Le Vigan

13:49 p.m. ES 12 Val d'Aigoual/Les Plantiers/Sumène 46,40 km

15:29 p.m. Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort meeting

16:14 p.m. SS 13 CC Grand Pic Saint Loup-Pompignan-Ferrières-Claret 12,70 km

18:14 p.m. Montpellier Podium

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