Twingo R1 France Trophy: All eyes on Bernardi and Defert

Now in its third year, the Twingo R1 France Trophy has become an integral part of the French Rally Championship calendar, with the season kicking off once more on the roads of France’s Opal Coast. Some 18 crews have entered this first round, an indication of the success enjoyed by a rally formula that is both accessible and competitive. The main objective for most of the competitors, who are aged under 25, is the French Junior Rally Championship, which runs in conjunction with the Trophy.

The large field contains plenty of quality too, with several of the drivers featuring last year returning for another season, this time with even more experience under their belts. Fourth in 2011 and third a year later, Florian Bernardi is back for another campaign and starts as a hot favourite to succeed Jeremie Serieys as French Junior Rally champion. Damien Defert, who finished fourth in last year’s standings, is also expected to contend for the title, while Jean Jouines and Johan Notargiacomo will be hoping to follow up their strong showings in 2012. Among the other drivers looking to get themselves noticed are Antoine Dhaisne, Gabriel Lieffroy, Simon Lebiez and Thibaut Fohrer.

As for the car, the Twingo Renaultsport R1 will be sporting a brand new look this season, having been fitted out with a kit comprising the aesthetic features of the Twingo Renaultsport phase 2.

Twingo R2 France Trophy: Romiguiere the one to watch

The Twingo R2 France Trophy can count on a loyal following as it heads into its fourth season. Open to owners of the Renault Twingo Renaultsport R2 and Twingo Renaultsport R2 Evo, it always serves up plenty of action, which should certainly be the case once more on the fast roads of northern France.

French Junior champion in 2011, Nicolas Romiguiere goes into the competition after spending last season driving a Twingo Renaultsport R2 Evo for Renault Sport Technologies. Now well acquainted with his set-up, he will start as one of the favourites. Fourth last year, Yann Clairay will also be out to make a fast start at Le Touquet, as will Jonathan Fra, Bruno Riberi and Dimitri Audet.

Though less well-known in France, Great Britain’s Chris Ingram boasts a pedigree that makes him a genuine contender at Le Touquet. The RSF MSA Young Driver of the Year for 2012, the rising star from Manchester followed up his 2011 British Junior Rally Championship win by claiming last year’s Twingo R2 UK Trophy.

New surroundings for Jeremie Serieys

Signed up by Renault Sport Technologies, French Junior Rally champion Jeremie Serieys will be driving a Renault Twingo Renaultsport R2 Evo this year.

“We’re thrilled at the prospect of starting our programme of eight events,” he said. “My aim is to master the Twingo Renaultsport R2 Evo as quickly as possible. It’s a real race car and a pretty big step-up after the Twingo R1, though I’ll be keeping a cool head at Le Touquet. I’m heading into the season in a relaxed frame of mind and I’m looking forward to battling it out with the best in the category.”

Driving in the colours of Renault Sport Technologies, Jeremie will be lining up in the Twingo R2 France Trophy.

Entrants

Twingo R2 France Trophy
31. ROMIGUIERE Nicolas - NEGRE Alexis
32. CLAIRAY Yann- ROUX Thomas
33. RIBERI Bruno - HAUT LABOURDETTE Florian
34. FRA Jonathan - LANDAIS Vincent
35. AUDET Dimitri - OCCHIPINTI Léo
36. INGRAM Chris - Mc AULEY Stephen

Twingo R1 France Trophy
46. BERNARDI Florian - BELLOTTO Victor
47. DEFERT Damien - DIOTTIN Florent
48. JOUINES Jean - VILLANI Jean René
49. GARCIA Axel - POMARES Fabien
50. NOTARGIACOMO Johan - DELON Marine
51. LEBIEZ Simon - LEBIEZ Julie
52. LIEFFROY Gabriel - EHRHARDT Laurine
53. FOHRER Thibaut - TAMBERI Aurélie
54. DHAISNE Antoine - FLAJOLET Marine
55. LUKES Nelson - BAZIN Augustin
56. PITOT William - ESTIVAL Alexis
57. ASTIER Raphael - COULET Julien
58. FLORET Olivier - GROULIER Vincent
59. GOETZ Maxime - COTORNINI Kelly
60. SIRMAIN Alexis - GAFFARD Benjamin
61. ABELLANEDA Anthony - MANZO Benoit
62. FOLB Terry - CARLUX Sebastien
63. MARAR Taymoor - CROBE Arno

Schedule

Friday 15 March 2013 – Leg 1
11.16: SS1 Camiers – Longvilliers (12.66 km)
11.54: SS2 Airon – Campigneulles (10.63 km)
16.50: SS3 Verton – Conchil le Temple (27.14 km)
19.30: SS4 Le Touquet Front de Mer (2.30 km)
20.00: SS5 Camiers – Longvilliers (12.66 km)
20.38: SS6 Airon – Campigneulles (10.63 km)
21.06: SS7 Verton – Conchil le Temple (27.14 km)

Saturday 16 March 2013 – Leg 2
9.38: SS8 Bourthes – Hucqueliers (18.68 km)
10.01: SS9 Hucqueliers – Montcavrel (29.98 km)
13.41: SS10 Bourthes – Hucqueliers (18.68 km)
14.04: SS11 Hucqueliers – Montcavrel (29.98 km)
15.46: SS12 Le Touquet Front de Mer (2.30 km)