Automobile: what if the rain served as arbiter at the Rallye du Cigalois ?

Yannick Vivens – Elodie Alle, here, during their victorious Rallye de Lozère. MIDI LIBRE – ALAIN LAURET

Bertrand Fassio and his co-driver Vincent Carmille during the 2023 edition. MIDI LIBRE – ALAIN LAURET

The 41st edition, supporting the Coupe de France round, takes place on Saturday, September 7 in Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort.

One hundred and twenty modern competitors are at the start of the 41st edition of the Rallye du Cigalois, contested this Saturday around Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort. Competitors to which must be added the twenty competitors of the Historic Rally, the 25 of the VHRS (25) and the 5 VMRS.
In the modern race, the fight for the scratch podium remains uncertain this season even if, often, experience obliges, it is Yannick Vivens who wraps up the match, in the end!
Here, there are at least five of them considering victory, in addition to scoring the last points for a qualification for the national final in Nice, organized eight days before the Critérium des Cévennes: Dorian Nicolas, Kévin Constanty and Laurent Lacomy (on C3 Rally2), Yannick Vivens (DS3 Rally2), Thierry Brunet (Skoda Rally2).

Here, experience will prevail

For Vivens, nothing n’is won : ''I fear that the scenario will resemble that of the Rallye de Lozère, with changeable weather: rain, sun, the choice of tires will be essential''.
Dorian Nicolas, from Lasall, is hardly more optimistic : ''In Lozère, I was totally lost with a 4-wheel drive in the rain. I never managed to understand. We would have to drive a lot more. We will try to stay afloat if the weather plays tricks on us. On dry ground, a podium is possible…''
Jonathan Escudéro (Skoda Rally2) is coming back from a road accident, Thierry Brunet has moved up a notch in recent rallies.

Sérieys and Pougnan, to watch

Laurent Lacomy has experience on his side, whether at Vins du Gard or Gard, where he has shown that he is playing for the win as soon as the terrain is favourable.

Fifth candidate for victory, Kévin Constanty has always had the scratch in his sights this season, but has never made it happen. It may be on Saturday that he will have the opportunity.

For a place in the top 10, or even the top 5 if the rain is heavy, we will follow the GT drivers. In particular with the Southerner Pierre Vonic, the Gangeois Jean François Mourgues and their Alpine but, above all, the Clios of Jérémie Sérieys and Nicolas Pougnan. The latter is rare in rallying but each time he has performed first-rate!

Fassio and company in VHC

For a few seasons now, we have seen a rise in power of the Historics. This is still the case here and compared to the humdrum of the modern fights, the fights of the “old” with big names from the modern world such as Bertrand Fassio (BMW M3), Jef Bérenguer and Romain Dumas, previous editions are no strangers to this rise in power which arouses interest, nostalgia for the old ones, curiosity for the young.

Here Fassio, 5th absolute time last year (VHC-moderns combined), Christian Capel (M3), Fabrice Vayssette (Ford Escort MK1), Pascal Brunel (Cosxworth) will be at the forefront.

The Gardois in France and abroad

MONT BLANC –This weekend, we will also be closely following some other Gard drivers, entered in events taking place in France and abroad. On the occasion of the Rallye du Mont-Blanc, counting for the 5th round of the French Championship, the youngest of the Rossel brothers, Léo, at the wheel of a C3, will aim for victory. Sarah Rumeau (Ford Fiesta) and Pablo Sarrazin will also be there, the latter taking part in a second attempt at the highest level of Rally2. This time, he will be driving a Polo Rally2.
GREECE – Meanwhile, there is also driving abroad. On the roads of the Rally of Greece, Léo's older brother, Yohan Rossel (C3 Rally2), will also play an important card in the race to obtain the WRC2 title at the end of the season. Suspense guaranteed on the Hellenic roads.

Departure, Saturday from Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort, at 7 am for 3 SS, to be covered 3 times: Fressac-Pailès (14.5 km) 8 h 22, 12 h 31, 16 h 40; La Cadière-Sumène (13.4 km) at 9 a.m. 10 a.m., 1 p.m. 19 p.m., 17 a.m. 33 p.m.; Saint Bauzille-Pompignan (14.6 km) at 10:03 a.m., 2:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. Regroupment (Le Pradet, Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort) at 10:43 a.m., 3:52 p.m. (for 1 hour). I subscribe to read more