Rally: Citroën brings a star guest
The third round of the Rally Championship takes place this weekend in the Lower Valais and Vaud Alps region. Citroën Suisse, as a partner of the organizer, is bringing Frenchman François Delecour in a DS3 R5 to the start this time. Rally fans have long marked this date in their calendars in red and have been waiting with bated breath to see which star driver Citroën Switzerland will [...]
Rally fans have long marked this date in their calendars in red and have been eagerly awaiting which star driver Citroën Switzerland will bring to the start this year. The importer has been a partner of the Rallye du Chablais since 2009. After record-breaking world champion Sébastien Loeb in 2012 and 2013, who is patron of the event, and multiple world touring car champion Yvan Muller last year, it is now François Delecour's turn. The 53-year-old Frenchman finished second in the 1993 World Championship and, although his best days are behind him, he still knows how to drive a rally car.
With the Citroën DS3 R5, Delecour has a competitive vehicle on a par with the best Swiss drivers, for whom the four-time WRC race winner will be an interesting yardstick. However, the locals have better knowledge of the route, which will be an advantage on the special stages in the Vaud Alps. Last year's winner Sébastien Carron will start the race with start number 1 on Friday at 10:45 am in front of the town hall in Aigle. The man from Valais leads the SM table without a loss after two victories. A victory by Ivan Ballinari or even Pascal Perroud in two more Ford Fiesta R5s would make the 2016 title fight a little more open again.
Olivier Gillet in the Porsche GT3
You can also look forward to the appearance of Olivier Gillet, this time with a powerful Porsche 997 GT3 - spectacular drifts are guaranteed! With 72 teams plus eight VHC crews, the 13th edition of the Rallye du Chablais is well-staffed. The SS1+6 "Verneyraz-Evionnaz" (start 11:20+18:06) on the Rhone highway and the SS2+4 over the Col de la Croix are recommended for spectators on Friday. On Saturday afternoon, the double circuit in Collonges will attract a large crowd.
www.rdch.ch
Photo: Citroën
