With several competitors deciding to delay their Renault Sport France Challenge debuts this season, only three teams will be lining up in Limousin. In the opening leg of the 2012 championship at Le Touquet there was very little to choose between Kris Princen and Eric Mauffrey in the early stages, though the Belgian later pulled clear to take the first round of the competition, reserved for the Clio Renaultsport R3 and the Megane Renaultsport N4.

Both drivers are aiming high yet again at the Rallye Region Limousin. And while the event has switched from multiple runs over a single course to a more traditional stage format, Princen has the advantage of having won the 2011 race, which featured on the Clio R3 France Trophy calendar.

After showing strongly at Le Touquet, Herve Paternot will not be lining up in Limousin, leaving Benoit Vaillant to complete the field. Also on show in the Pas-de-Calais, Vaillant will be out to continue his apprenticeship by putting in a consistent showing and challenging in the R3 category.

Friday’s first stage features two rounds of three timed stages, followed by a super special in Limoges. The longer of the two, with more than 124 timed kilometres in all, Saturday’s card includes two special stages on Mont Gargan run over the same distance (29.98 km). The event comes to an end with a brace of specials contested twice the previous day: St Moreil-St Priest and Auriat-Champnetery.

Entrants

48. Princen Kris – Eelbode Bram – Renault Clio R.S. R3
49. Mauffrey Eric – Houssin Gaëtan – Renault Clio R.S. R3
50. Vaillant Benoît – Morin Henri-Pierre – Renault Clio R.S. R3

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)

Renault Sport France Challenge: Standings

1. Kris Princen 25 pts
2. Eric Mauffrey 18 pts
3. Hervé Paternot 15 pts
4. Benoit Vaillant 12 pts