Automobile: Gaëtan Renouf was imperial

Gaëtan Renouf, surrounded by his family, can rejoice, winner in Group DE. MIDI LIBRE – JERÔME MORIN

ASA Gard-Cévennes driver Vincent Herold won the final ''at home''. MIDI LIBRE – JERÔME MORIN

Sur le champ de foire beaucairois, spectacle garanti entre les quilles. MIDI LIBRE – JERÔME MORIN

Dimanche 15 septembre, à Beaucaire, le pilote manchois n’a rien laissé à la concurrence à l’occasion de la finale nationale des slaloms.

This weekend, in Beaucaire, everyone was a winner. The group champions, on the tarmac, and the Gard-Cévennes Automobile Sports Association, organizer of this national slalom final. The event of the year, with a race that had not been seen in the Gard since 2012, in Alès.

''It's a source of pride to do it but, above all, to succeed, stressed the president of the Asa Jo Dardanelli. It wasn't easy, especially with the wind.'' If Aeolus invited himself to the party, particularly on Sunday for rounds 2, 3 and 4, the specialists in the exercise also knew how to stand out.

''It's magnificent here, it looks like a real slalom, rejoiced, at the end of the 3rd round, the Varois Vincent Hérold, 27 years old, who races for Asa Gard-Cévennes. Usually, the finals are always on racing or karting circuits, it's less spectacular. Basically, that's what slalom is, on parking lots.''

Vincent Hérold:''It was a fight, but a great fight'''

At the wheel of his Peugeot 106 S16, the Brignoles resident put on a show, as well as winning the F2 group. His second victory of the year in the specialty after that, at the beginning of 2024, of Lédenon, the crowned champion of the Occitanie league: ''This year, we had a lot of problems with the car. Twice, I had to race with another vehicle, a Xsara lent by a colleague, in order to be able to drive and get the points for the final. '' It was worth it, with this group victory, beyond his expectations.

''The goal was the podium. On the 4th round, I sent everything, explained Herold, already winner in Beaucaire in 2023. Sometimes, with the stress of the last round, it doesn't go too well but there, it passed. It was a fight, but a good fight. Plus, I win it at home.''

A real great performance for Patrick's son, who could be proud of himself. Others, in the car park, were equally happy for their dad: Gabin and Alyre, the children of Gaëtan Renouf, winner in the Sport category.

Renouf and his Dallara F305 flashed at 110 km/h

At the wheel of his powerful Dallara F305, the Manchois felt at home in the Gard, with a Norman flag being waved upon his arrival! ''I had a bit of a lead but I tried to make a good last pass and a good time (rounds 3 and 4 in 58’’’059 and 58’’’), he pointed out, surrounded by his loved ones. I'm really happy, it's a source of pride.''

As a true specialist in the exercise, Renouf took control of the four rounds, clocking 110 km/h (1.250 km circuit): ''We love these gymkhana-style slaloms, like twenty years ago. There's more adrenaline. Here we go along the ramparts, it's great.''

Renouf beat Munster's Christophe Rosé (Dallara 303), relegated to almost three seconds, and another Manchois, Eddy Ravenel (Reynard 913).

Full results on the Asa Gard-Cévennes website. I subscribe to read the rest