Aboard a new RenaultFollowing a completed first season in the French Rally Championship, marked by three two-wheel drive victories, Emmanuel Guigou and David Marty embark on a new campaign. They will race in the Rally Terre de l'Auxerrois aboard a new Clio Renault Sport
R3 prepared by Chazel Technologie Course.
Renault innovates in presenting the Clio Renault Sport R3 by being the first constructor to abide by the new technicals regulations of the FIA. The new weapon issued from the Competition Department of
Renault Sport Technologies will permit Emmanuel Guigou to play a leading role with a two-wheel drive within the French Rally.
"She's very close to the
Super 1600, it's a real race car with a 230-horsepower engine and a sequential gearbox. We will be very close to the times of the Super 1600," said Guigou.
"During our first testing periods, over which we drove about 80 kilometers, I was impressed by it's great traction. She's efficient, easy to drive, and doesn't wear out her tyres too much. The chassis is well-balanced. We fine-tuned her set-up even though I still have to gain more knowledge about the car," he declared.
At the wheel of his new black and yellow Clio Renault Sport R3, Emmanuel Guigou is giving himself a big challenge. After crossing the 2006 season, he's about to start the 2007 French Rally Championship with great ambitions.
"I expect a very interesting championship with the presence of an official Peugeot and other Clio Renault Sport R3's in the two-wheel drive category," Guigou predicts. "At the beginning of this new season, seven cars are capable of taking victory with drivers who won in promotional series at the wheel. It will surely be one of the most contested categories of the French championship, tarmac and ground combined."
The Rally Championship of France launches this week-end with the Rally Terre de l'Auxerrois. Emmnauel Guigou has already participated three times, in 2000, 2003, and 2006. "I like this rally, it's very rapid. It makes me think of a Rally du Touquet on ground. I have good memories since my first best times in the overall standings with a Clio Super 1600 were there," addd Guigou.
"I prefer dry conditions because the ground can become very greasy if it rains. But I believe the weather forecasts are favorable. It will certainly be very contested with the last stage being 24 kilometers long. We will have to fight 'till the finish. I'm impatient to be there. Thanks to Renault Sport Technologies, Chazel and my loyal partners, this new season is looking good!" concluded Emmanuel Guigou.
