France - 3-6 Oct 13

A DATE WITH HISTORY! LOEB & ELENA MAKE FINAL WRC OUTING WITH CITROËN TOTAL ABU DHABI WORLD RALLY TEAM AT RALLY ALSACE

Posted: October 2, 2013 10:56 AM

Regardless of the outcome, the 2013 Rallye de France Alsace will go down in world motorsport history. The rally is set to be Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena's last competitive outing for the works Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team. With 78 wins already under their belts, the nine-time World Champions will be looking for one final victory at what is undoubtedly one of their favourite events. Always comfortable on the tarmac roads of the Alsace region, Mikko Hirvonen/Jarmo Lehtinen and Dani Sordo/Carlos del Barrio will also want to celebrate their team-mates' final outing with a good result.

Based in Alsace since 2010, the Rallye de France has seen Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena secure two of their nine world titles. This year, the legendary crew will relinquish their crown here in what will be their final rally in the No.1 DS3 WRC. For this, the fourth outing of his 2013 mini-programme, Sébastien Loeb will bow out of rallying in front of a highly partisan crowd. Several hundred thousand fans are expected to line the roads and they will all be hoping for the same thing: to see the 79th win of the most successful rally driver there has ever been.

"Obviously, my aim is to achieve the best possible result, but you have to bear in mind that I haven't competed in a rally since the start of May. And even then, it was on gravel in Argentina," downplayed Seb. "OK, so I haven't exactly been dossing around the house since then, but I'll inevitably need some time to adapt and get back into the swing of things. How long it takes me to get up to speed will probably determine the final outcome for us.
There's no pressure on me, no championship to go for and I've nothing to prove. Above all, I'm here to enjoy myself, and thank all the people who have supported me for so long. I hope it'll be a great big party."

In the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team's second DS3 WRC, Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen will be looking to extend their run of six podium finishes on tarmac.
"It seems that I have become a real tarmac specialist," joked the Finnish driver, who was once again struck by misfortune in Australia. "If we want to stay in the fight for the Manufacturers' title, we have to score heavily with both cars. My aim will therefore be to do at least as well as in Germany. This rally isn't an easy one, because there are a lot of changes in road surface. And if it rains, it can become even trickier..."

Competing in the Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team's DS3 WRC, Dani Sordo and Carlos del Barrio will line up at the start determined to build on their win at Rally Deutschland. Particularly sharp at this rally, at which he finished as runner-up in 2010 and 2011, Dani has finally shaken off the repeated questioning about when, or if, he would win his first rally: "I hope that Rally Deutschland was just one stage and I'll have the opportunity to enjoy that feeling again. I really like this rally. It is an extremely fast course - in fact, this is the rally at which we go quickest all season, with a top speed of over 200kph. Whether it stays dry or it rains, I don't mind either way. Obviously, the rally will be special because we'll be alongside Seb and Daniel for the last time. Although the transition has taken place gradually this season, it will still be a special moment for the WRC."

In terms of the itinerary, the 2013 edition of the Rallye de France is not very different to last year, other than it has been shortened by around 20%. Held on roads in the Vosges and run twice during Friday, the Pays d'Ormont stage is once again likely to prove decisive in determining the outcome of the rally.

Volkswagen’s Sébastien Ogier has one hand on the World Championship title

Posted: October 2, 2013 10:54 AM

Just one small step from achieving the main goal: with three races still to go, one single world championship point is all that stands between Volkswagen duo Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia (F/F) and the Driver and Co-Driver titles. The French pair has its sights set on picking up that all-important point in the Polo R WRC at their home rally, when the region around Strasbourg hosts the Rally France from 03 to 06 October. Round eleven of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) promises to be a true master class and could well feature a mighty duel with a great champion: among those out to deny Ogier/Ingrassia will be nine-time winners and defending champions Sébastien Loeb/Daniel Elena (F/MC, Citroën). This duel has already been played out three times in 2013. Ahead of the Rally France, the score stands at 2:1 in favour of Citroën Séb – a source of great motivation for his namesake in Volkswagen colours.

Ogier/Ingrassia now hold an 83-point lead over their only remaining title contenders Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (B/B). Should the Ford duo fail to win the Power Stage, then Ogier/Ingrassia will already get their hands on the title as early as the first evening of the rally. As such, the season’s dominant pairing is no longer dependent on the results of other drivers to secure the title at its home rally – all it would take, for example, is victory on the Power Stage, which this year forms the opening stage of the rally in France for the first time, and on which World Championship points are awarded to the first three cars.

However, there is more at stake for Volkswagen at the Rally France than just winning the Driver and Co-Driver titles. With just three races remaining, the Wolfsburg-based outfit currently leads defending champions Citroën by 48 points in the Manufacturers’ Championship, with a maximum 43 points per round on offer. “Our goal is to maintain this lead, or even extend it if possible,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. “Firstly, however, we want to do everything in our power to ensure that Sébastien and Julien finally achieve their dream of winning the World Championship title at their home rally. Furthermore, the duel between Sébastien Ogier and local favourite Sébastien Loeb also promises to be particularly exciting. These two superstars are sure to be in full cry in front of their home crowd. The fans can look forward to some top-drawer rallying.”

Latvala/Anttila set sights on Manufacturers’ points

The Rally France is the second event of the season held solely on asphalt. As at Volkswagen’s home rally around Trier at the end of August, the drivers must tackle fast and sometimes very narrow sections in Alsace, some of which head through the local vineyards. Last year, Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila (FIN/FIN) finished runner-up here to claim their best result to date at an asphalt rally. Should the two Finns in the number 7 Polo R WRC achieve a similar success this year, Volkswagen would take a big step towards winning the Manufacturers’ Championship in their rookie season in the World Rally Championship. Paul Nagle (IRL) will once again be in the passenger seat as the co-driver for Andreas Mikkelsen (N) in the third Polo R WRC. Mikkelsen’s regular co-driver Mikko Markkula (FIN) is still recovering from a back injury he sustained at the Rally Finland, but is making good progress.

Can anyone end the French dominance on asphalt?

The two manufacturers competing for the driver and co-driver crowns in the World Championship travel to France determined to end a unique winning run in the WRC. For almost a decade, Citroën has won every single asphalt rally in the WRC – primarily thanks to Sébastien Loeb. Ford driver Thierry Neuville, for example, will be going all out to end this run: the Belgian came within touching distance of claiming his first win on the asphalt of the Rally Germany. Volkswagen also has a point to prove on this surface: Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila have a score to settle on asphalt, since a single mistake saw them drop back down the field when leading the Rally Germany. Ogier already has two victories at asphalt rallies to his name, and is out to add to this tally on his home streets.

Rally France – the crowd puller: WRC fever infects an entire region

French fans will give their rally heroes a frenetic greeting on their home soil – and will flock in their thousands to the route. Friday’s “Massif de Grand Crus–Ungersberg” special stage poses a wide variety of challenges over the course of its 13.04 kilometres. One section of the stage is very reminiscent of the Rally Germany. Negotiating the vineyards and half-timber houses at rally speed demands ultimate precision. The second half of the stage heads uphill along a winding country road – up Ungersberg. This is in stark contrast to the short “Haguenau” special stage, which leads the drivers through the home town of record-breaking world champion Sébastien Loeb – and on his very last WRC rally. Julien Ingrassia is also looking forward to the final great duel of the two “Super Sébs” in their home country of France: “Nine years age difference, nine years between them setting out in rallying and – hopefully – nine years between both of their first WRC titles. Despite the many parallels, these are two completely different success stories: one that is set to come to an end on 5th October, and another that is just getting going. I can hardly wait!”

Quotes ahead of the Rally France
Jari-Matti Latvala, Polo R WRC #7
“We had a great team result at the Rally Australia, although I personally had hoped for better than fourth place. As such, I would like to get back on the podium in France – as I did last year. Parts of the Rally France are similar to the Rally Germany: asphalt, technically demanding sections of route, and then faster passages and a number of stages through woodland. On the whole, however, the routes through the vineyards are a bit quicker than in Germany. For this reason, the Polo R WRC will have a similar set-up to the Rally Germany. The main difference will be the shock absorbers, which will be a bit harder in France. Sébastien Loeb will be making his final appearance. The fans will obviously be most interested in his speed and the duel between Loeb and Sébastien Ogier. However, our goal as a team is to extend our lead in the Manufacturers’ Championship – that is what we will be focussing on.”

Sébastien Ogier, Polo R WRC #8
“Australia was a great rally for Volkswagen, and for me too obviously. Despite this, the feeling at the finish was a bit of a strange one: we had won, but just missed out on securing the World Championship by one point. However, it soon dawned on us that it is only a matter of time until we take the final step. It is possible that we might score the final illusive point as early as the Power Stage, which opens the rally in France. As such, we have completed 99 per cent of the job. However, our goal in France is once again to win the rally and score more points for Volkswagen in the Manufacturers’ Championship. Generally speaking, it is already clear that this will ultimately be a very special season. It is fantastic what we have achieved. Should we finish on top in the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Championships, it will definitely have been a magical, perfect season.”

Andreas Mikkelsen, Polo R WRC #9
“I am looking forward to the Rally France. Last year, in the Škoda Fabia S2000, I was embroiled for long periods of the rally in a thrilling duel with Sébastien, before I had problems with my engine. As such, I am excited to see how things pan out this time. However, this is my very first asphalt rally in the Polo R WRC, as Mikko’s injury unfortunately meant I was unable to start in Germany. I have had lined up at the Rally France twice in the past, and the fast asphalt stages really seem to suit me. It is a bit quicker there than at the Rally Germany, and it can also be extremely slippery if it rains. My goal is primarily to complete more kilometres and gain more experience on asphalt in the Polo R WRC. For this reason, I will not be going all out on the attack, but will first try to find a good rhythm.”

French Conditions Provide Challenge For DMACK

Posted: October 2, 2013 10:53 AM

In a return to asphalt action on the FIA World Rally Championship next weekend, DMACK is set to face a mix of tough road and weather conditions on round 11 of the series at Rally de France.

Its DMT-RC asphalt rally tyre will have to master narrow, asphalt roads, bumpy mountain passes and handle mixed weather conditions when the last all-asphalt round of the series kicks off next Thursday in Strasbourg.

Rally de France traditionally draws huge numbers of spectators and rally fans to the Alsace region close to the French border with Germany. The area’s demanding asphalt roads are generally fast and smooth and normally aren’t so demanding in terms of tyre durability.

But the challenge for tyre manufacturers is delivering grip and traction in the slippery conditions. With cold, damp weather expected, the roads through the Vosges mountains are normally humid and covered in dew.

To compound the challenge, drivers cut many corners dragging mud and gravel onto the road – making the smooth roads extremely slippery. An experienced driver will identify these areas on the pre-event recce to make his pacenotes as accurate as possible.

To cope with the mixed conditions, DMACK runners will use the firm’s DMT-RC asphalt tyre in S3 compound. The tread pattern has grooves on the inside to maximise grip and traction and the tyre performed well in similar conditions last time out at Rallye Deutschland.

Competitors are allowed a maximum of 24 tyres across the weekend and DMACK will supply a host of WRC2 crews including Rashid Al Ketbi and Jordan’s Ala’a Rasheed – both in Fiesta R5 cars.

Event Details

The event kicks off with a spectator stage in the centre of Strasbourg on Thursday evening – finishing close to the European Parliament building. Then on Friday the action resumes to the south-west of Strasbourg with a three-stage loop that gets repeated in the afternoon. It includes the longest stage of the event, the mountainous Vosges-Pays d’Ormont test at 34.34km.

Saturday ventures south to Colmar, again with a repeated three-stage loop punctuated by remote service in Colmar, but the day is capped off with a super special blast through Mulhouse.

Sunday completes the event with a full day of action around Haguaneu to the north of Strasbourg.

Dick Cormack, DMACK motorsport director, said:
“The DMT-RC asphalt tyre has been specifically designed to work in mixed conditions and has already proved it can cope well during a number of events across Europe. This is a tough rally and drivers with less asphalt experience may struggle with the cuts and conditions. With remote service on both Saturday and Sunday, managing tyres and having a mistake-free event will be vital.”

Ireland test boosts Barrable’s belief ahead of France

Posted: September 27, 2013 10:13 PM

Robert Barrable is all set for his Rallye de France-Alsace (3-6 October) debut after enjoying a successful test in his Tunnock’s World Rally Team Ford Fiesta R5 in Northern Ireland.

The car’s 1.6-litre turbocharged engine has undergone a complete rebuild at M-Sport since its last FIA World Rally Championship outing on the ADAC Rally Deutschland. A test over the Glendun stage, near the village of Cushendall in County Antrim, confirmed that the CA1 Sport-run Fiesta R5 is ready for action. Running into the evening also allowed Robert – who has celebrated his 26th birthday since Germany – to test the new Lazer LED lamps ahead of the Rally France night stage.

Whilst Robert’s rallying experience in France is limited to a brief pre-Rallye Deutschland test near Saint-Stail, his co-driver, Stuart Loudon, contested Rallye France last year. In 2012 he partnered John MacCrone, leading the WRC Academy category before gearbox issues saw them finish 3rd.

Robert: “The test in Northern Ireland went very well. We wanted make sure everything was okay with the rebuilt engine, and it was also a great opportunity for me to drive again at night, as the final stage on Saturday in France will be run in the dark.

“When we did our pre-Rally Germany test near Strasbourg, we discovered the roads around Strasbourg were quite different from what we found in Germany, but the good thing now is that we kept that technical information for Rally France. It’s a good base on which to prepare the car’s set-up, so whilst we haven’t rallied in France before, we’re not starting from a completely clean sheet of paper.

“Rally France has a reputation for being one of the best Tarmac rounds of the World Rally Championship, with smooth roads and a high level of grip, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Stuart: “Our shakedown and early split times in Germany showed that we were on the pace of the leading WRC-2 cars, so we travel to France with a lot of quiet optimism. Robert’s very good on gravel, but Tarmac is still his preferred surface and sections of Rally France are even similar to Ireland – fast, narrow and bumpy. There are some great stages through vineyards and up and over mountain ranges, and your driving and pace notes have to be very precise as the very fast downhill sections in particular offer no margin for error.

“WRC-2 will be very competitive, but after our early retirement in Germany it’s really important for us to get mileage in the car and try to leave France with a points-scoring finish under our belts. With France, Spain and Rally GB ahead of us, we are very keen to end the 2013 season on a high.”

Rallye de France-Alsace begins with the Power Stage in the centre of Strasbourg on Thursday 3 October. Friday’s action contains six stages (two loops of three), including the Vosges-Pays d’Ormont which, at 21.33 miles (34.34kms), is the longest stage of the rally. Day 3 contains a further seven stages, including the classic Hohlandsbourg-Firstplan and Soultzeren-Pays Welche tests, while the fourth and final day has six stages, featuring the tricky Vignoble de Cleebourg stage. Saturday and Sunday represent the biggest challenge, with only remote fuel stops and limited service during the day. After a total of 20 special stages, covering 194 miles (312kms), the rally finishes in Strasbourg at 17.00 on Sunday 6 October.

Paul Nagle to Co-Drive for Andreas Mikkelsen again

Posted: September 23, 2013 12:04 PM

Paul Nagle will be back in the Volkswagen Polo R WRC with Andreas Mikkelsen for the Rallye de France - Alsace. Doctors have not given Mikko Markkula the green lights to be back in the car yet.

Entry List

Posted: September 23, 2013 12:01 PM

France - 3-6 Oct 13 - ENTRY LIST

Event Website / Details

Posted: August 20, 2013 2:11 PM

RALLYE DE FRANCE (ALSACE)