In wanting to be closer to its customers, Renault Sport Technologies has made the choice in 2014 to invest in the French Rally Cup, with the creation of the Renault Sport Challenge. In addition to pitting the different teams racing in the Renault models against each other, it will reward the best, with various awards according to their category classification at the close of each rally. The award scheme concerns three classes, R3/N4, R2 and R1. The end of season winner of the Renault Sport Challenge in each of three categories will be rewarded with an entry in the Rally du Var in a new Renault Clio R.S R3T.

And it is already a success with 22 teams ready to battle in the opening round. The Rallye Pays du Gier, based at Saint-Chamond, which will also be round one of the 2014 Twingo R1 Swiss Trophy, will feature 11 cars in the Renault Sport Challenge R3/N4 category with four cars in R2 and seven in R1.

“It is a real satisfaction and very encouraging for a new concept, “says Renault Sport Technologies Sporting Director, Benoît Dupont. “This proves that it corresponds to what our customers want, and that others are attracted by the challenge that it represents. We have managed to offer a competitive concept that has been put in place in three categories, with a proper sporting interest, while guaranteeing limited cost. We are also maintaining Renault Sport standards in offering the crews technical support as well as assuring a level playing field among all the competitors.”

Among the Renault Sport Challenge competitors, some are loyal to the French carmaker, having already participated in a Renault Sport promotion series. Entered in a Renault Clio R3, Pascal Bérard has competed in numerous rallies, as has Boris Carminati and they will be the men to beat in the R3/N4 class. Bertrand Latour, who is no stranger to the Mégane R.S. N4, will also be among the front-runners in the Challenge.

In R2, Georges Gonon, who has been a regular in the Twingo R2 Trophy over the past few years, will be one to keep an eye on, but he will have to watch out for Nicolas Crochon, Jordan Mottard and William Pitot, all of whom could create a surprise.

Seven are entered in R1 and among them are Maxime Goetz and Romain Auvert, who have already competed in the Twingo R1 Trophy. This first event will also create a hierarchy for the opening round of the Renault Sport Challenge.

Beyond the sporting battle, the crews will be compensated with rewards based on their classification in their respective classes – and not only that of the Renault Sport Challenge- at the end of the rally.

Programme – Rally Pays du Gier

Friday 14 March
SS 1 – Valfleury – Génilac (22,70 km)

Saturday 15 March
SS 2 – Valfleury – Génilac (22,70 km)
SS 3 – Ste Croix en Jarez (22,50 km)
SS 4 – Doizieux (19,10 km)
SS 5 – Ste Croix en Jarez (22,50 km)
SS 6 – Doizieux (19,10 km)
SS 7 – Ste Croix en Jarez (22,50 km)
SS 8 – Doizieux (19,10 km)

Entry list

R3/N4 Category
Stéphane ALBERT (Renault Clio R.S. N4)
Pascal BERARD (Renault Clio R.S. R3)
Gérard BERT (Renault Clio R.S. R3)
Boris CARMINATI (Renault Clio R.S. R3)
Jérôme CHAVANNE (Renault Clio R.S. R3)
Kevin DESPINASSE (Renault Clio R.S. R3)
Dimitri FELICES (Renault Clio R.S. R3)
Bertrand LATOUR (Renault Clio R.S. N4)
Laurent LACOMY (Renault Clio R.S. N4)
Michel NICOLLIER (Renault Clio R.S. R3)
Mickaël REYDELLET (Renault Clio R.S. R3)

R2Category (Renault Twingo R.S. R2)
Nicolas CROCHON
Georges GONON
Jordan MOTTARD
William PITOT

R1 Category (Renault Twingo R.S. R1)
Romain AUVERT
Théo CHALAL
Maxime GOETZ
Aurélien LAFONT
Nicolas RENCHET
Emilien SANLAVILLE
Matthieu TARIF