Following a lengthy midsummer break, the Renault Sport Challenge makes its reappearance at the Rallye Cœur de France, the first of the last three dates on its ten-event calendar. Based in Savigny-sur-Braye, the rally takes place this coming Saturday, with 13 crews competing in the Renault Sport Challenge.

The leading drivers in the R3/N4 class standings will all be in action this weekend. Absent from the Rallye National Montagne Noire in July, Laurent Lacomy will be back at the wheel of the Renault Megane Renaultsport N4, with Sebastien Mattei in the co-driver’s seat. Now level with Lacomy at the top of the standings, Pascal Berard will be competing in the Renault Clio R.S. R3 alongside Caroline Berard, while Mickael Reydellet and Thomas Chauffray will be looking to build on their win in the last round and keep the pressure on the joint leaders.

Joining the Renault Sport Challenge in this latest round are Philippe and Alexandra Rageau and Thomas Gaume and Antoine Welischek. Lining up in the Renault Clio Renaultsport R3, both crews will be aiming to get in among the points.

The action in the R2 class also promises to be intense. Following their win at the Rallye Montagne Noire, William Pitot and Alexis Estival now hold the points lead but can expect a stern challenge from Georges and Valerie Gonon, who have four top-two finishes to their names already this season, including a brace of wins. Victorious at the Rallye du Pays de Dieppe back in May, Marvin Sorin and Karine Moinet have designs on topping the podium once more and moving into the top three in the standings.

The frontrunners in the R1 class will also be on the start line at the Rallye Cœur de France. After taking maximum points in the last round at the Rallye National Montagne Noire in late July, Aurelien Lafont and Aurelien Verdenet are in control of their own destiny. Out to stop them pulling away from the field are their closest pursuers Antoine Margely, partnered by Francois-Xavier Delabarre, and Nicolas Renchet and his co-driver Cedric Amoros. The fight between the three crews promises to be intense.

A winner in the opening round of the season and second at the Rallye National Montagne Noire, Romain Auvert will be at the wheel of the Twingo R.S. R1, with Maxime Belivier by his side. Having found some form lately, Auvert is eyeing a return to the top three in the standings. Twice in the points this year, Matthieu and Wilfrid Tarif will be looking to make their consistency count meanwhile.

Featuring ten special stages and 130.61 kms of timed sections in all, the Rallye Cœur de France gets under way at 9:30 on Saturday 30 August, with the podium ceremony scheduled to begin at 23:00.

Entry list
R3/N4 class
Laurent Lacomy – Sébastien Mattéi (Renault Mégane R.S. N4)
Pascal Bérard – Caroline Bérard (Renault Clio R.S. R3)
Mickaël Reydellet – Thomas Chauffray (Renault Clio R.S. R3)
Philippe Rageau – Alexandra Rageau (Renault Clio R.S. R3)
Thomas Gaume – Antoine Welischek (Renault Clio R.S. R3)

R2 class (Renault Twingo R.S. R2)
William Pitot – Alexis Estival
Georges Gonon – Valérie Gonon
Marvin Sorin – Karine Moinet

R1 class (Renault Twingo R.S. R1)
Aurélien Lafont – Aurélien Verdenet
Antoine Margely – François-Xavier Delabarre
Nicolas Renchet – Cédric Amoros
Romain Auvert – Maxime Bélivier
Matthieu Tarif – Wilfrid Tarif

Challenge Renault Sport standings
R3/N4 class
1. Laurent Lacomy 69 points
2. Pascal Bérard 69 points
3. Mickaël Reydellet 67 points
4. Jérôme Chavanne 36 points
5. Boris Carminati 25 points
5. Anthony Cosson 25 points …

R2 class
1. William Pitot 88 points
2. Georges Gonon 86 points
3. Jordan Mottard 56 points
4. Marvin Sorin 37 points …

R1 class
1. Aurélien Lafont 90 points
2. Antoine Margely 83 points
3. Nicolas Renchet 71 points
4. Théo Chalal 67 points
5. Romain Auvert 63 points
6. Emilien Sanlaville 47 points …