The new category created by Renault Sport Technologies is proving an irresistible attraction, and the field for this the third leg of the 2012 Renault Sport France Challenge has swelled to seven teams in all.

Following back-to-back wins at Le Touquet and Limousin, Belgium’s Kris Princen will once again start as favourite, though Eric Mauffrey will not be lacking motivation as the season approaches the midway mark after finishing runner-up on both occasions.

Fourth in round one, Picardy’s Benoit Vaillant climbed on to the podium in Limoges and is a genuine contender for top spot in Mâcon.

The four new drivers lining up this weekend include Olivier Courtois, who knows how to handle the Clio R.S. R3 after taking fourth place in the 2011 Clio R3 France Trophy. The Alsace driver suffered an accident in Le Var at the end of last season, and has decided to get back behind the wheel after making a successful return in the Rallye Plaine et Cimes last month.

Having turned in a string of fine performances in the Clio R.S. R3, Damien Tozlanian and Thierry Venturini make their first appearance of the Renault Sport France Challenge season and could well have plenty to say over the weekend, while one-time Clio Cup Rally contender David Deloy makes his return to the Renault Sport fold.

The rally starts in Mâcon at midday this Friday and will finish a little after 8pm on Saturday.

Extract from the rally regulations
The Renault Sport France Challenge is open to teams driving the Clio R.S. R3 or Megane R.S. 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: €2000 plus €1500 in vouchers and eight tyres; 2nd: €1000 plus €1000 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.

Entrants
34. Kris Princen – Bram Eelbode (Clio R.S. R3)
35. Eric Mauffrey – Gaetan Houssin (Clio R.S. R3)
36. Benoît Vaillant – Henri-Pierre Morin (Clio R.S. R3)
37. Olivier Courtois – Kévin Bronner (Clio R.S. R3)
38. Damien Tozlanian – Florine Alphand (Clio R.S. R3)
39. Thierry Venturini – Hubert Risser (Clio R.S. R3)
40. David Deloy – Cédric Ogier (Clio R.S. R3)

Schedule
Friday 15 June
12h00 – Start
12h05 – Transfer stage
12h48 – SS1 : Fuisse – Bussières (12,41 km)
13h41 – SS2 : Chissey – Bissy (10,81 km)
14h02 – SS3 : Lugny – Vire (10,35 km)
16h37 – Transfer stage
17h35 – SS4 : Fuisse – Bussières (12,41 km)
18h28 – SS5 : Chissey – Bissy (10,81 km)
18h49 – SS6 : Lugny – Vire (10,35 km)
19h34 – Transfer stage
20h09 – Parc fermé

Saturday 16 June
8h00 – Start
8h05 – Transfer stage
8h53 – SS7 : Serrieres – Pierreclos (14,18 km)
9h41 – SS8 : Cortambert – Aze (21,08 km)
10h39 – SS9 : La Chapelle/Brancion – Tournus (25,48 km)
12h49 – Transfer stage
13h52 – SS10 : Serrieres – Pierreclos (14,18 km)
14h40 – SS11 : Cortambert – Aze (21,08 km)
15h38 – SS12 : La Chapelle/Brancion – Tournus (25,48 km)
17h18 – Transfer stage
18h21 – SS13 : Serrieres – Pierreclos (14,18 km)
19h09 – SS14 : Cortambert – Aze (21,08 km)
20h09 – Finish