R3/N4 title contenders Mickael Reydellet and Thomas Chauffray got off to an impressive start in their Renault Clio Renaultsport R3. Fourth overall and second in the class, they underlined their rich vein of form by outpacing a number of 4WD crews. Though they eventually dropped down to sixth overall, the duo maintained their pace to hang on to second place in the class.

Pascal and Caroline Berard made a fast getaway to move into third behind them. The pair seemed set for another podium finish, only for Philippe and Alexandra Rageau, who were also driving the Clio Renaultsport R3, to wrest it from them on SS8. They would stay there in the remaining stages, finishing just ahead of Pascal and Caroline Berard, with both crews claiming places in the top ten overall.

Mickael Reydellet’s second place takes him past Pascal Berard to the top of the Renault Sport Challenge R3/N4 class standings with just two events remaining. Only the drivers’ top six results will count towards their final points tallies.

In the R2 class William Pitot and Alexis Estival took an early lead, closely pursued by Marvin Sorin and Karine Moinet, who had to retire with mechanical problems at the first service park. Running a little further down the field, Georges and Valerie Gonon promptly followed them out of the rally at the end of SS7.

William Pitot kept the pace up to claim his second consecutive class win and finish 14th overall. On the podium six times in as many races, he now holds a commanding lead, though with two races remaining, Georges Gonon can still snatch the title.

Victorious in three of the last four rounds in the Renault Sport Challenge R1 class, Aurelien Lafont and Aurelien Verdenet started the event as firm favourites, though it was Nicolas Renchet and Cedric Amoros who surged into the lead, only to go off in SS2, with Antoine Margely and Francois-Xavier Delabarre suffering the same fate.

Handed the lead, Lafont and Verdenet then took charge, stretching their advantage over nearest challengers Romain Auvert and Maxime Belivier and holding it all the way to the finish line, with Matthieu and Wilfrid Tarif completing the top three. Lafont’s fourth win of the season takes him even further ahead in the points, while Romain Auvert remains in third place.

The next round of the Renault Sport Challenge takes place at the Rallye du Pays de Saint Yrieix, to be held on 13-14 September.

Renault Sport Challenge standings after the Rallye Cœur de France
R3/N4 class
1. Mickael Reydellet, 85 points (12, DNC, ret., 15, ret., 15, 25, 18)
2. Pascal Berard, 81 (15, 15, DNC, 12, 15, DNC, 12, 12)
3. Laurent Lacomy, 69 (8, 25, 18, ret., 18, ret., DNC, ret.)

R2 class
1. William Pitot, 113 points (15, 18, 15, 15, DNC, ret., 25, 25)
2. Georges Gonon, 86 (18, 25, DNC, 25, ret., DNC, 18, ret.)
3. Jordan Mottard, 56 (ret., 15, ret., 18, ret., 8, 15, DNC)
4. Marvin Sorin, 37 (DNC, 12, 25, DNC, ret., ret., DNC, ret.)

R1 class
1. Aurelien Lafont, 115 points (ret., disq., ret., 25, 15, 25, 25, 25)
2. Antoine Margely, 83 (DNC, DNC, 25, 18 +25, ret., 15 , ret.)
3. Romain Auvert, 81 (25, 0, 12+ DNC, 8, DNC, 18 +18)
4. Nicolas Renchet, 71 (18, 25, DNC, ret., DNC, 18, 10)
5. Theo Chalal, 67 (12, 10, 18, DNC, ret., 15, 12)
6. Emilien Sanlaville, 47 (15, DNC, DNC, 12, DNC, 12, 8)
7. Matthieu Tarif, 29 (8, DNC, 6, DNC, ret., DNC, DNC, 15)

*Only the top six results count towards the final Renault Sport Challenge standings.