There were almost 40 entrants to the Twingo R1 France Trophy… But now, there are only three in a position to set their sights on the title of French Junior Rally Champion, which is rewarded with a Twingo R2 Evo programme for the 2013 season. On the back of two victories in five legs, Charles Martin has emerged with a significant advantage over Jérémie Serieys and Florian Bernardi.

Two titles are up for grabs at the 58th Rallye du Var. Charles Martin, Jérémie Serieys and Florian Bernardi are heading into battle for the Twingo R1 France Trophy and the French Junior Rally Championship.

Created last season in collaboration with the French Motorsport Federation, Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA), the French Junior Rally Championship is for drivers aged 25 and above and is an integral part of the Twingo R1 France Trophy organised by Renault Sport Technologies. Crowned in 2011 at the end of the final leg, Nicolas Romiguière has competed in 10 rallies this season at the wheel of his Twingo R2 Evo. The 2012 Champion will in turn reap the reward of a race programme next season.

With four podiums, including two victories, Charles Martin is in the best position ahead of this much-anticipated showdown. Whatever his competitors’ results, fifth place will guarantee him both championship titles.

For Jérémie Serieys, the cards are less favourable. Ten points behind and with a result that will be discounted, he must occupy one of the top two steps on the podium to have a chance of taking a title. Even if he wins, he has to hope that Charles Martin comes home no higher than sixth to be crowned French Champion.

The maths are even more complicated for Florian Bernardi… Sitting 22 points behind Charles Martin, he can only aim to go out and dominate at Sainte-Maxime while hoping that Martin does not make the top eight.

Even though they are no longer in contention for the title, several drivers could still upset the apple cart. Victorious at Limoges, Damien Defert will want to be back at the sharp end. Second place overall is still a possibility.

Mathias Wouters and Johan Notargiacomo have already proven their place on the podium with their Twingo Renaultsport R1. This final leg is an opportunity for them to place themselves under the spotlight with a great finish to the year.

Aside from the above drivers, Jean Jouines, Antoine Massé, Simon Lebiez and Jean-René Perry are still chasing down their first podiums. Already in the points this season, Roman Ferrero, Thibaut Fohrer, Yohan Saillat and Ségolène Couturier will all want to finish in the top 10. This is a wish shared by Loïc Astier, Romain Auvert, Joffrey Margiotta and Williams Pitot, who are looking to score their first points.

Finally, Nelson Lukes, former team manager in Formula Renault 2.0 on the short circuits, will be playing at home. The man from the Var already has some experience of rally driving.

The sixth and final meet of the season comprises 12 special events held over three stages. The flag will be raised for the 58th Rallye du Var on Friday 23rd November. The final points will be tallied midway through the day on Sunday.

Extract from the sporting regulations
The Twingo R1 France Trophy is open to drivers of all ages but only those aged 25 or above are eligible to compete for the title of French Junior Rally Champion, a championship inaugurated in 2011 in partnership with the FFSA with the aim of discovering young drivers.
The allocation of points is broken down using the FIA scoring system to award the top ten: 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1.
The five best results are retained.
More than 200,000 Euros are awarded during the season, including more than half as finishing money to which a significant tyre allocation is added. At the end of each rally, the winner receives a cash bonus of 2,500 Euros, 1,000 Euros in vouchers and six tyres. Similarly, at each finish the top 15 drivers are awarded prizes. The French Junior Rally Champion, meanwhile, will be handed the keys to a Twingo R2 Evo for eight legs of the 2013 French Rally Championship.

58th Rallye du Var
List of entrants
80. Charles Martin/ Romain Devos
81. Jérémie Serieys/ Justine Quillet
82. Florian Bernardi/ Victor Bellotto
83. Damien Defert/ Florent Diottin
84. Antoine Masse/ Mathieu Favreau
85. Jean Jouines/ Jean-René Villani
86. Simon Lebiez/ Julie Lebiez
87. Mathias Wouters/Aline Gainet
88. Johan Notargiacomo/ MarineDelon
89. Gabriel Lieffroy/ Laurine Ehrhardt
90. Jean-René Perry/ JoshuaReibel
91. Roman Ferrero/ MaximeMorin
92. Thibaut Fohrer/ AnaisBihl
93. Yohan Saillat/ Gaël Alquier
94. Ségolène Couturier/ Virginie Brunel
95. Loïc Astier/ JonathanVargas
96. Romain Auvert/ MaximeBelivier
97. Joffrey Margiotta/ BriceMargiotta
98. William Pitot /AlexisEstival
99. Nelson Lukes/ LoïcBarbera

Programme
Friday 23 November 2012
13:08 – Start Sainte-Maxime
13:35 – Service
14:15 – SS1: La Môle 1 (7.58 km)
14:55 – SS2: Bormes les Mimosas (10.19 km)
15:25 – SS3: Cogolin (17.93 km)
16:00 – Service
17:05 – SS4: Le Plan de la Tour 1 (20.25 km)
18:05 – Parc fermé
Saturday 24 November 2012
7:00 – Parc fermé
7:20 – Service
8:35 – SS5: Le Plan de la Tour 2 (20.25 km)
9:30 – Service
10:10 – SS6: Collobrières 1 (32.57 km)
11:10 – SS7: Pignans (16.65 km)
12:25 – SS8: La Môle 2 (7.58 km)
15:20 – Service
16:25 – SS9: Vidauban 1 (31.74 km)
19:00 – Parc fermé
Sunday 25 November
5:40 – Parc fermé
6:00 – Service
7:00 – SS10: La Garde Freinet 1 (10.99 km)
7:45 – SS11: Collobrières 2 (32.57 km)
9:05 – Service
10:10 – SS12: Vidauban 2 (31.74 km)
11:50 – Finish