Yann Clairay and Thomas Roux went to Sainte-Maxime as title favourites, knowing that all they needed to do to make the trophy theirs was to finish in the points. The only crew who could deny them the championship were Nicolas Romiguiere and Alexis Negre, who had to win in Le Var and hope their rivals finished out of the points.

Twice winners this season, Manu Guigou and Kevin Millet were the first to show on Friday, posting the fastest times in the opening specials. There was drama on SS3 as Yann Clairay went off and came to a standstill. But after a lengthy stop and some running repairs he managed to rejoin the race and stay in the points. Up at the top of the standings, meanwhile, Nicolas Romiguiere kept the pressure on by slipping into second place behind Manu Guigou.

The top two positions remained unchanged on Sunday, while Pascal Mackerer and Hubert Risser fought it out for third place with Jonathan Fra and Leo Occhipinti, who moved into the top three in SS5 and then turned in a superb performance in the night-time special and to pull well clear of their pursuers. Behind them newcomers Jonathan Brun and Anne-Lise Michelier and Lorris Vieil and Jean-Baptiste Lobe were picking up some valuable experience in the Twingo Renaultsport R2 Evo, while Yann Clairay moved up to seventh after climbing past Twingo Renaultsport R1 Trophy UK champion Benjamyn McKay, who was getting his first taste of the Twingo Renaultsport R2 Evo. The British driver was also competing in his first rally outside the UK and on a testing course quite unlike any he has ever faced back home.

Manu Guigou continued to blaze his trail on Sunday and safely negotiated the final stage to secure his third Twingo R2 Trophy win of the season. Nicolas Romiguiere took the runners-up spot for the fourth time this year, followed by Jonathan Fra and Pascal Mackerer. Finishing behind them in seventh was a relieved Yann Clairay, the new Twingo R2 France Trophy champion. Three times a winner this year, the Mayenne driver topped the end-of-season standings from Nicolas Romiguiere and Manu Guigou.

“We came here to win but we hit the apex of a corner too hard,” commented Yann Clairay. “We picked up a puncture, the front suspension was busted open and the steering wheel rod was twisted. We changed the wheel, though, and managed to get to the finish line. We had a lot of problems after that and we really had to fight to finish the race and take the title. I’m very happy because this is my first full rally season and the Twingo R2 Trophy is a fantastic reward. We’ve been consistent and we’ve had some good performances. I’m going to enjoy this win first and then start thinking about 2014.”

Jeremie Serieys and Justine Quillet finish on a high

Impressing on their last appearance in the Renault Twingo Renaultsport R2 Evo prepared by Renault Sport Technologies, Jeremie Serieys and Justine Quillet turned in a measured performance to finish second in the R2 class behind Manu Guigou and Kevin Millet. “The objective was to pick up confidence after going off at Les Cévennes and to make the most of our last few kilometres in the official Twingo R2,” said Serieys at the finish line. “We managed to find top pace in some sections though we couldn’t keep it up for a whole stage. It’s the end of a fine season and we’ve had some great times with Renault Sport. I have to say that we were very excited about coming back to Sainte-Maxime. There are no special moments that stand out in particular because we’ve been making progress all season. It’s been an extraordinary year. Renault Sport have given us an awful lot and we’ve also joined the France FFSA Rallye team. My congratulations to Axel Garcia for taking over from me as junior champion. He’s adapted incredibly well despite having competed in only a few rallies before this season. I hope he has as much fun next season as I’ve had this.”

Twingo R2 Trophy – Rallye du Var – Final standings
1. Manu Guigou/Kevin Millet 2:29:46.4
2. Nicolas Romiguière/Alexis Nègre +4:32.7
3. Jonathan Fra/Léo Occhipinti +8:44.5
4. Pascal Mackerer/Hubert Risser +9:55.2
5. Jonathan Brun/Anne-Lise Michelier +13:01.7
6. Lorris Vieil/Jean-Baptiste Lobe +14:23.8
7. Yann Clairay/Thomas Roux +16:30.9
8. Benjamyn McKay/Jason McKay +30:06.8

Twingo R2 Trophy standings
1. Yann Clairay 103 points
2. Nicolas Romiguière 87
3. Manu Guigou 75
4. Jonathan Fra 39
5. Mathieu Sentis 33
6. Chris Ingram 30
7. Pascal Mackerer 22 …