Following a stunning 2013 campaign in the French Junior Rally Championship, Axel Garcia and Fabien Pomares will begin their eight rally programme with a Renault Twingo R.S. R2 Evo, the prize for winning the title in November 2013 at the conclusion of the Rally du Var. After getting their hands on the car and testing it for the first time last month they will now start their season at the Rallye Le Touquet – Pas-de-Calais.

”We were able to put in a shakedown day at the ‘Pole Mécanique d’Alès’ to learn how the car works, before putting in a proper test day on the roads of Aveyron,” says Axel Garcia. “We felt comfortable with the car and it didn’t take long for us to adapt. It was a positive first run. We saw that if we want to attack we have to push the engine to the red line. It is a purpose-built race car and it is much faster than anything we have driven until now! The Twingo R.S. R2 Evo is very competitive but we still have a lot to learn about it. Our communication with the Renault Sport engineers is going very well and we can’t wait for our programme to begin.”

Before heading to the Touquet Rally, the French Junior Champions had the chance to put in another day of testing prior to the reconnaissance. This time it will be in northern France on terrain similar to what they will encounter on the opening round of the season.

”We will be able to learn even more about the Twingo R.S. R2 Evo,” continued the driver elected as Echappement Magazine’s 2013 newcomer of the year. “The goal of this test day is to find the set-ups best suited for the unique terrain this rally features. We have the advantage of being supported by Renault Sport and we just have to focus on our performance both with the pace notes and the driving. We will also have to be able to go the distance physically, because driving in this kind of car is more demanding. It will also be a real honour to wear the Renault Sport driver suit on this occasion.”

For Renault Sport, the signs of this collaboration are promising. “Axel and Fabien have shown a real capacity to adapt in moving from the Twingo R1 to the Twingo R2, which is a proper race car in the sense that it offers an advanced technical definition in all areas,” notes Renault Sport Team Manager, Sylvain Alanore. “Their maturity surprised us as did their capability to cope with the different set-ups. They have a good grasp of the car. During their first official run, they will have to finish without making any mistakes and demonstrate their consistency. But a season goes by quickly and while not getting too far ahead of themselves, they must quickly be on form. Our goal is to give them everything they need to be quickly successful.”

Rallye Le Touquet – Pas-de-Calais – Programme

Friday 14 March
11h14 : SS 1 – Camiers Longvilliers (12,56 km)
11h49 : SS 2 – Airon Campigneulles (9,31 km)
14h48 : SS 3 – Verton Colline Beaumont (24,43 km)
17h43 : SS 4 – Le Touquet Front de Mer (2,30 km)
18h08 : SS 5 – Camiers Longvilliers (12,56 km)
18h42 : SS 6 – Airon Campigneulles (9,31 km)
19h08 : SS 7 – Verton Colline Beaumont (24,43 km)

Saturday 15 March
9h33 : SS 8 – Selles Senlecques (14,94 km)
9h56 : SS 9 – Bourthes Wicquinghem (18,60 km)
10h24 : SS 10 – Hucqueliers Montcavrel (19,73 km)
13h27 : SS 11 – Selles Senlecques (14,94 km)
13h50 : SS 12 – Bourthes Wicquinghem (18,60 km)
14h18 : SS 13 – Hucqueliers Montcavrel (19,73 km)
15h31 : SS 14 – Le Touquet Front de Mer (2,30 km)