Twingo R1 France Trophy: Axel Garcia the man to beat

A surprise runner-up at Le Touquet, Axel Garcia quickly confirmed his credentials by winning the Rallye du Limousin. With co-driver Fabien Pomares alongside him, he has found the performance levels required to score results and has moved into a solid lead at the top of the Twingo R1 France Trophy standings. Even so, he has a sizeable pack of challengers snapping at his heels.

Victorious at Le Touquet, Damien Defert and Florent Diottin represent the closest threat to the leader, while the pairing of Gabriel Lieffroy and Laurine Ehrhardt, whose consistency has taken them to third in the points, will also be worth keeping an eye on.

Raphaël Astier and Olivier Floret, both of whom finished on the podium in Limoges, can also be expected to mount a challenge. The same can be said of the highly experienced Florian Bernardi and Johan Notargiacomo. With 20 crews on the start line at Rodez, there should be no shortage of intensity and excitement. Held over three days and in searing heat, the Rallye du Rouergue represents a genuine test of these young drivers’ skills.

Twingo R2 France Trophy: trio ready to dominate

After two rounds three teams have broken away at the top of the points. Nicolas Romiguiere and Alexis Negre head the field with 26 points, with the crews formed by Yann Clairay and Thomas Roux and Manu Guigou and David Marty just a solitary point behind. Having sat out the season’s opening event, the battle-hardened Manu Guigou is hoping to build on his successful outing in round two and take the points lead at the halfway stage of the campaign.

The winner at Le Touquet, Yann Clairay is anxious to climb back on to the podium after retiring last time out. Exceptionally quick all season, he has every chance of featuring in the top three come the season’s end. 2011 French Junior Rally champion Nicolas Romiguiere had the benefit of an official programme last year and has built on that by making the switch to the Twingo R2 Trophy. Having taken to the top of the standings thanks to his consistency, he will be keen to make a tigerish defence of his lead.

Among the weekend’s other podium candidates are Dimitri Audet and Mathieu Sentis, who has shown plenty of flair this season. Lining up alongside the usual contenders is Spanish newcomer David Nafria, previously seen in the Clio R3 West European Trophy.

Jérémie Serieys out to consolidate

Thirteenth overall at the Rallye des Vins Mâcon, Jérémie Serieys is learning fast. Partnered by Justine Quillet, the 2012 French Junior Rally champ made the most of the latest upgrade to his Twingo Renaultsport R2 Evo to take yet another step forward in his career development, and will be looking to make further progress at Le Rouergue, all with the assistance of Renault Sport Technologies.

“We received a very effective brake upgrade at the last rally and we made the most of it straightaway,” explained Jérémie Serieys. “There’ll be no more changes to my car at Le Rouergue so I’ll have some stability. We’re going to try and drive to the very limit of our abilities while leaving a little safety margin. With this being the halfway point of the season, we’re going to show everything we’ve learned in the first half of the year. We’re going to prepare really well. I like this event, and we’ll be up against the Twingo R2 Trophy cars, which will give us a pretty good indication of where we stand.”