Some 31 Twingo Renaultsport R1s, an increase on the Le Touquet field, will be gunning for victory at the Rallye Region Limousin, the third leg of the French Rally Championship and the second on the Twingo R1 France Trophy calendar. And unlike last season, when the event comprised multiple legs over a single closed course, a traditional stage format will be used this time around.

There are a number of teams making their debuts in the category, not least the female duo of Segolene Couturier and Charlene Deville. While there are several women occupying the co-driver’s seat in the Twingo R1 this season, Couturier is the only lady behind the wheel, and will not be lacking in motivation as she aims to beat off the competition and claim a top-ten finish.

Having lined up in the Rallye de France-Grand National after winning a competition organised by the magazine Echappement and Renault Sport Technologies, Joffrey Margiotta will be back in the Twingo Renaultsport R1 for this event, ready to continue his education in a highly competitive race.

Victorious at Le Touquet, Charles Martin and Romain Devos will be intent on maintaining their championship lead, while Florian Bernardi and Victor Belloto will be keen to make up for the points they lost in the season’s opening event, having led for much of the way in the Pas-de-Calais. Last year’s runner-up, Bernardi has the experience to top the podium in Limousin.

Also eyeing a top-three finish are Romain Fostier and Damien Defert, while Julien Rambault, who took second at Le Touquet, Jean-Rene Perry, Antoine Masse, Dorian Nicolas and Cedric Coste will have designs themselves on making the podium.

Two rounds of three timed stages will take place on Friday, followed by a super special in Limoges, while Saturday’s card features more than 124 timed kilometres of special stages.

Entry list
65. Martin Charles – Devos Romain
66. Rambault Julien – Merceron Adrien
67. Defert Damien – Diottin Florent 

68. Perry Jean-René – Millet Kevin
69. Masse Antoine – Favreau Mathieu 

70. Coste Cédric – Urzedowski Florian 

71. Serieys Jérémie – Quillet Justine
72. Wouters Mathias – Gainet Aline 

73. Jouines Jean – Celso Madeline 

74. Bernardi Florian – Bellotto Victor 

75. Hauswald Frédéric – Poujol Sébastien
76. Bossard Steven – Combe Geoffrey
77. Nicolas Dorian – Perier Gauthier
78. Coste Kévin
79. Humeau François – Vattier Bruno
80. Genesca Arnaud – Berfa Jordan
81. Ferrero Roman – Morin Maxime
82. Margiotta Joffrey – Margiotta Brice
83. Lebiez Simon – Dhote Gwenaelle
84. Lieffroy Gabriel – Ehrhardt Laurine
85. Fohrer Thibaut – Bihl Anaïs
86. Mougin Jean-Charles – Bronner Kévin
87. Auvert Romain – Belivier Maxime
88. Couturier Ségolène – Deville Charlene
89. Saillat Yohan –Matry Julien
90. Notargiacomo Johan – Delon Marine
91. Dunaud Jean-Baptiste – Debornes Yannick
92. Audet Dimitri – Auger Denis
93. Gauthier Merlet Damien – Nicolas Paul
94. Fostier Romain – Abchiche Ophélie
95. Caplan Anthony – Bichon Julien

Schedule

Friday 18 May: Stage 1
11h33– ES1 St Moreil - St Priest (19.29 km)
12h01– ES2 Auriat – Champnetery (11,39 km)
12h34 – ES3 St Julien – Peyrat (16,67 km)
15h07 – ES4 St Moreil - St Priest (19.29 km)
15h35 – ES5 Auriat – Champnetery (11,39 km)
16h08 – ES6 St Julien – Peyrat (16,67 km)
19h06 – ES7 Ville de Limoges (2,34 km)

Saturday 19 May: Stage 2
11h08 – ES8 Mont-Gargan (29,98 km)
11h46 – ES9 Lacelle – Tarnac (16,67 km)
14h24 – ES10 Mont-Gargan (29,98 km)
15h02 – ES11 Lacelle – Tarnac (16,67 km)
17h45 – ES12 St Moreil - St Priest (19.29 km)
18h13 – ES13 Auriat – Champnetery (11,39 km)

Twingo R1 France Trophy: Standings
1. Charles Martin 25 pts
2. Julien Rambault 18 pts
3. Romain Fostier 15 pts
4. Damien Defert 12 pts
5. Jean-René Perry 10 pts
6. Antoine Massé 8 pts
7. Cédric Coste 6 pts
8. Jérémie Serieys 4 pts
9. Mathias Wouters 2 pts
10. Jean Jouines 1 pt