Dry roads under the sun despite the morning freshness, a new hilly and challenging route that should reward the big hearts and engines… Launched on Saturday around Régnié-Durette, the 35th regional Rallye des Vignes is expected to be the center of a fierce battle for the final victory with the well-endowed FRGT category (14 entries, with only four Rally2).
Even if the junior program manager at Mercedes F1, Gwen Lagrue, could challenge the established order with his Citroën C3, the probability is high of seeing a beautiful “Porscherie”. Among the contenders, we find Patrice Bonnefond in a 991 GT3, a few months after winning the Monts et Coteaux national rally. Even if he signs more successes and podiums on four-wheel drives, especially in his native Auvergne, Stéphane André will be one to watch on a 992.
But barely a month after being neck and neck at the rallye de la Haute Vallée d’Azergues, with a final gap of less than six seconds in favor of the leader, Lyonnais Côme Ledogar (Porsche 911), double title holder in Beaujolais, and Ghislain Barbier from Côte-d’Or will still be the favorites to win one of the most popular rallies in France.
Departures: ES 1-3-5 Chiroubles-Durbize at 9:08 am, then 1:09 pm, then 5:10 pm; ES 2-4-6 Cru Régnié at 9:36 am, then 1:37 pm, then 5:38 pm. More information at www.asab.fr
