Having monopolised all of the top steps of the podium since the beginning of the season, Romain Salinas and Laurent Clutier are going head-to-head one more time on the roads of the Rallye du Var. Even if Romain Salinas has a slight advantage when they line up at the start at Sainte-Maxime, Laurent Clutier will not need to dominate to become the successor to Stéphane Consani, winner of the Twingo R2 France Trophy in 2011.

With two victories from five events, and points scored in each rally, Romain Salinas is embarking on the final leg of the season five points clear of Laurent Clutier.

In the deduction stakes, however, Clutier is in a good position. Romain Salinas must – virtually – have twelve points deducted (based on his worst result at Mâcon) whereas Laurent Clutier played his joker in the Cévennes.

But Romain Salinas is still master of his own destiny. If he wins ahead of Laurent Clutier, both drivers will have 111 points. In this particular case, they will be differentiated between based on their finishing positions in each rally contested, which hands the advantage to Romain Salinas.

Guaranteed third place in the Twingo R2 France Trophy, after having been victorious in 2010 and first runner-up in 2011, Georges Gonon can aim for a third podium. He will be opposed in this quest by Jonathan Fra, Laurent Wilkin and Guillaume Sirot.

Featuring in the points at Limoges and Rodez, Jonathan Fra is chasing his first podium in this category. The Belgian Laurent Wilkin – winner of Volants Asaf 2011 – has often proven himself to be competitive since he joined the Twingo R2 France Trophy grid in July. Having already cut his teeth last year in the Var, he will have the opportunity to showcase the extent of his talent. As for Guillaume Sirot, an encouraging first place in the Cévennes bodes well for Sainte-Maxime!

Three new competitors are also joining the Twingo R2 France Trophy grid. Winner of the Twingo Renault Sport R1 UK Trophy and UK Junior Rally Champion 2012, 21 year-old Scotsman Garry Pearson will make his debut in the Twingo R2 Evo. Hailing from the Var, Cédric Fournier and Olivier Politi from Marseilles will also have the opportunity to rub shoulders with the best in the class.

Twelve special events are scheduled over the three stages of the 58th Rallye du Var, which will be held between Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th November around Sainte-Maxime.

Nicolas Romiguière and Alexis Nègre, one year later…
French Junior Rally Champions at the end of the Rallye du Var 2011, Nicolas Romiguière and Alexis Nègre finished their season at the wheel of the Twingo R2 Evo fielded by Renault Sport Technologies. Having been dominant in their class during the Critérium des Cévennes, they will be committed to proving the strength of their potential in the Var, facing off against competition that is, as ever, at the very top of their game.

Extract from the sporting regulations
The Twingo R2 France Trophy is open to all teams entering the Twingo RS R2 and Twingo R2 Evo.
Points allocation break-down : 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1.
Bonus allocation : 2,500 Euros + 2,500 Euros in vouchers + 8 tyres awarded for first place, 2,000 Euros + 2,000 Euros in vouchers + 6 tyres for second place, 1,500 Euros + 1,500 Euros in vouchers + 4 tyres for third place, 1,000 Euros + 1,000 Euros in vouchers + 2 tyres for fourth place, 700 Euros + 800 Euros in vouchers for fifth place…
The best five results are put forward for final classification in the Twingo R2 France Trophy.

58th Rallye du Var
List of entrants
71. Romain Salinas/ Benjamin Micheli 

72. Laurent Clutier /
73. Georges Gonon /Valérie Gonon 

74. Jonathan Fra/ Loïc Remy
75. Laurent Wilkin/ Eric de Bolle
76. Guillaume Sirot/ Emeline Breuil
77. Garry Pearson/ Craig Wallace
78. Cédric Fournier/ Virginie Bustos
79. Olivier Politi / Leo Aucchipilpi

Programme
Friday 23rd November 2012
13 :08 – Start Sainte-Maxime
13 :35 – Service
14 :15 – SS1: La Môle 1 (7.58 km)
14 :55 – SS2: Bormes les Mimosas (10.19 km)
15 :25 – SS3: Cogolin (17.93 km)
16 :00 – Service
17 :05 – SS4: Le Plan de la Tour 1 (20.25 km)
18 :05 – Parc fermé
Saturday 24th November 2012
07 :00 – Parc fermé
07 :20 – Service
08 :35 – SS5: Le Plan de la Tour 2 (20.25 km)
09 :30 – Service
10 :10 – SS6: Collobrières 1 (32.57 km)
11 :10 – SS7: Pignans (16.65 km)
12 :25 – SS8: La Môle 2 (7.58 km)
15 :20 – Service
16 :25 – SS9: Vidauban 1 (31.74 km)
19 :00 – Parc fermé
Sunday 25th 25 November
05:40 – Parc fermé
06 :00 – Service
07 :00 – SS10: La Garde Freinet 1 (10.99 km)
07 :45 – ES11: Collobrières 2 (32.57 km)
09 :05 – Service
10 :10 – SS12: Vidauban 2 (31.74 km)
11 :50 – Finish