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Posted: September 17, 2015 10:02 AM
STEPHANE LEFEBVRE TO DRIVE A DS 3 WRC AT THE TOUR DE CORSE!
Posted: August 29, 2015 3:25 AM
FIA Junior WRC Champion in a DS 3 R3 in 2014, Stephane Lefebvre can count on the expertise of Citroen Racing when it comes to supporting the development of promising young drivers. Before him, Sebastien Loeb, Dani Sordo, Kris Meeke, Sebastien Ogier and Thierry Neuville all saw their careers boosted by the French manufacturer. Now it is the turn of the talented Frenchman to benefit from a programme designed to unleash his potential.
Since the start of the 2015 season, Stephane Lefebvre - supported by his vastly experienced co-driver, Stephane Prevot - has had the opportunity to get used to driving a four-wheel drive car by taking part in all of the world championship rounds in a DS 3 R5 or a RRC, his best result being a WRC2 category win at Rallye Monte-Carlo.
A few days ago, the Franco-Belgian crew reached new heights when they competed in their first rally together in a DS 3 WRC. Stephane Lefebvre delivered a very promising performance in Germany, free of any serious mistakes and featuring times that became increasingly close to those of the leading drivers. He ended up tenth overall and therefore scored his first World Championship point!
"Stephane produced the sort of performance we had been expecting. I'd even go as far as to say that he slightly exceeded the goals we had set for him," emphasized Yves Matton, Citroen Racing Team Principal. "Focussed and committed from start to finish, he improved his out-and-out speed, whilst also showing an encouraging level of technical awareness. In light of this, and in accordance with his programme which included two rallies in the DS 3 WRC, he will be taking part in the Tour de Corse in the same car. He will therefore hopefully be able to make use of his first experience on tarmac in Germany and pick up where he left off."
"I'm very pleased to be competing at this legendary rally in the DS 3 WRC," confirmed a visibly delighted Stephane Lefebvre. "It?s a rally that will be new for all the WRC drivers, but I have actually competed here twice before in small cars and so I know what to expect. For me, as someone who comes from the north of France, the profile of the Corsican roads is the exact opposite of the roads I know best! But I can already imagine how much fun it will be to drive on these stages in the DS 3 WRC. I think that the main difficulty will lie in finding the limits of the car on a surface with a very high level of grip. It'll be a little bit less of a journey into the unknown than last week, especially as I'll be taking part in a pre-event test in order to prepare specifically for this round. I'll be looking to start with the same positive energy as in Germany, and keep reducing the gap to the top guys."
Before turning their attention to the Tour de Corse, Stephane Lefebvre and Stephane Prevot will be making the long trip to the southern hemisphere in order to take part in recce for Rally Australia (10-13 September).
STATEMENT BY EUROSPORT EVENTS REGARDING TOUR DE CORSE
Posted: February 7, 2015 6:45 PM
FIA European Rally Championship promoter Eurosport Events acknowledges the decision taken by l’Assemblée de la Collectivité Territoriale de Corse to support the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) bid from the Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA).
Since the Tour de Corse was dropped from the WRC in 2008, Eurosport Events has worked with the local organising body, the ASACC, during the last four years to maintain the international status of Tour de Corse and save this famous rally.
It worked successfully with the Tour de Corse organisers, arranging live television coverage on three occasions and reviving the rally to an international-level contest, with current Hyundai factory WRC driver Thierry Neuville scoring a breakthrough victory in Corsica in 2011 live on Eurosport.
Eurosport Events is pleased to see that its efforts and significant investment made over the last four years have not been in vain and that it has helped Tour de Corse return to the pinnacle of rallying.
The financial situation between the ASACC and Eurosport Events regarding the 2014 event is still not settled, and Eurosport Events looks forward to a positive outcome from its discussions with ASACC and the various Corsican authorities.
Eurosport Events will propose an amended 2015 ERC calendar, with Rallye International du Valais as the new final round, to the next FIA Rally Commission meeting.
The Tour de Corse will replace Rallye de France - Alsace in the 2015 FIA World Rally Championship.
Posted: February 7, 2015 6:44 PM
FFSA, motorsport’s governing body in France, confirmed on Friday (6 February) that the Mediterranean island event would return to the series as the 11th round on 1 - 4 October.
The Corsican event last appeared in the WRC in 2008, after which the Alsace mainland region took over the running of the French round in 2010.
However, local authorities there were unable to promise the necessary financial support to organise the Strasbourg-based event this year.
The Corsican Territorial Authorities confirmed financial backing for the WRC’s return to the island yesterday and the asphalt event will take place on the dates originally allocated to the Alsace rally.
The FFSA said it planned to renew links with the past in which the Tour de Corse forged its reputation.
“The route will consist of a succession of very long special stages that will highlight the Haute Corse region and the south of Corsica,” said a spokesman.
The Tour de Corse was first held in 1956 and was part of the WRC from the championship’s first season in 1973 to 2008. The rally was based around Ajaccio before departing the WRC, but no details are yet available of the 2015 route.
Event Website
Posted: February 7, 2015 6:43 PM
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