France : Rallye du Var - FinishNicolas Vouilloz clinched the French Rally Championship title after winning the Rallye du Var, his fourth victory this season.
At the wheel of his Peugeot 307 WRC, Vouilloz finished in front of Michel Boetti (Peugeot 306 Maxi) and Patrick
Rouillard (Toyota Celica GT Four).
Cedric Robert (Renault Clio) finished fourth overall and first in the Super 1600 class to claim second place overall in the French championship.
Vouilloz dominated the event, setting the fastest time in all the stages, except one. Despite the tricky wet surface, Vouilloz made no mistake and didn't encounter any mechanical problems during the three-day event.
Cedric Robert needed a miracle to beat Vouilloz in the championship but his Clio Super 1600 was no match for his rival's 307 WRC. Nevertheless, Robert still impressed with his eighth Super 1600 victory this season, despite receiving a costly 2'20” penalty following an electrical problem on Saturday evening.
Dany Snobeck (Peugeot 307 WRC) really enjoyed driving team BSA's second car.
The 1982 winner of the event was on his way to a great result when a puncture in the very last stage dropped him from second to a fifth place overall.
Despite driving an older car, Michel Boetti (Peugeot 306 Maxi) managed to set the fastest time in the La Garde Freinet stage, on his way to a rewarding second place overall.
The battle for the last podium spot between Patrick Rouillard and Eric Mauffrey turned to the advantage of the Toyota driver, when Mauffrey suffered from a puncture during the second leg. Mauffrey had to settle for sixth place, 24 seconds behind Snobeck.
Hugo GIGUERE © CAPSIS International
