Kris Princen might have three wins to his name in the Renault Sport France Challenge this year, but it is Eric Mauffrey who leads the points, thanks to his greater consistency. With only two legs to go, this weekend’s Critérium des Cévennes will go a long way to deciding who takes the 2012 title.

Eric Mauffrey and Kris Princen have had many an epic battle in their Clio Renaultsport R3s over the years. Currently dicing it out in the 2012 Renault Sport France Challenge, the man from the Vosges and the Belgian are bracing themselves for the fifth leg of the season, which will unfold between Montpellier and Ganges.

In terms of experience, there is very little to choose between the two title contenders. While Eric Mauffrey knows the roads of L’Hérault and Le Gard like the back of his hand, he has missed the last four Critérium des Cévennes. Now accustomed to new rallies that only allow three reconnaissance passes per special stage, Kris Princen will not feel out of place.

Nevertheless, the Belgian has no margin for error if he is to claim the championship. Having used up his joker in retiring from the Rallye Vins-Mâcon, he has to get points on the board to stop his adversary clinching the title one leg early.

The Cévennes will welcome two new members of the Renault Sport France Challenge pack, namely Dorian Nicolas – formerly behind the wheel of a Twingo Renaultsport R1 in the French Junior Rally Championship – and Mathieu Biasion – who also impressed in the same competition. Present at the last two editions of the rally, both pose serious threats to the two championship contenders.

The fifth event on the 2012 calendar begins on Thursday with a long road stage between Montpellier and Ganges, while there are 12 specials on the card on Friday and Saturday, when the rally comes to a finish in Montpellier.

Extract from the rally regulations
The Renault Sport France Challenge is open to teams driving the Clio Renaultsport R3 or Megane Renaultsport N4. Drivers must compete in a minimum of two rallies to be ranked in the overall standings.

Points allocation: 1st place - 25 points; 2nd -18; 3rd - 15; 4th -12; 5th - 10; 6th - 8; 7th - 6; 8th - 4; 9th - 2; 10th - 1.

Prize money: 1st place: €2,000 plus €1,500 in vouchers and eight tyres; 2nd: €1,000 plus €1,000 in vouchers and six tyres; 3rd: €800 plus €700 in vouchers and four tyres; 4th: €600 plus €400 in vouchers and two tyres; 5th: €400 plus €400 in vouchers.

Each driver’s best five results of the season will count towards the Renault Sport Challenge standings.

55th Critérium des Cévennes
Entrants
21. Eric Mauffrey/Julien Rebut (Clio R.S. R3)
22. Kris Princen/Bram Eelbode (Clio R.S. R3)
23. Dorian Nicolas/ (Clio R.S. R3)
24. Mathieu Biasion/Philippe Coquard (Clio R.S. R3)

Schedule
Thursday 25 October
17.00: Start (Montpellier)
18.50: Finish (Ganges)
Friday 26 October
07.45: Start
08.30: Service park (Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois)
09.23: SS1 La Cadière – Sumène (12.76 km)
10.18: SS2 Taleyrac – Mandagout (9.35 km)
11.08: SS3 Le Vigan – Pommiers (21.21 km)
11.45: SS4 Mars – Aumessas (8.98 km)
15.56: Service park (Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois)
17.09: SS5 La Cadière – Sumène (12.76 km)
18.04: SS6 Taleyrac – Mandagout (9.35 km)
18.54: SS7 Le Vigan – Pommiers (21.21 km)
19.42: SS8 Mars – Aumessas (8.98 km)
20.57: Service park (Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois)
21.52: Parc fermé
Saturday 27 October
07.45: Start
07.55: Service park (Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois)
09.18: SS9 Soudorgues – C. du Mercou (7.20 km)
10.26: SS10 Tourgueille – ND de la Rou (42.02 km)
14.18: Service park (Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois)
15.41: SS11 Soudorgues – C. du Mercou (7.20 km)
16.49: SS12 Tourgueille – ND de la Rou (42.02 km)
19.11: Service park (Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois)
20.56: Finish (Montpellier Odysseum)