French race ace Pierre Ragues has finished in a fantastic third place in this weekend’s Rallye National de la Côte Fleurie, taking a sensational podium in his first ever competitive rally.

 

The local star, alongside his co-driver and father Marcel Ragues, claimed a number of top three stage times throughout the nine stage event, which began with a Super Special Stage on Friday evening, held on Lais de Mer at the famous Deauville. Pierre made an exceptional start to the event with the second best time in SS1, just 0.8s from the pace setter.

 

Eight further stages were held today (the scheduled final stage SS10 was cancelled), with the Ragues duo on impressive pace from the outset. In dry conditions but with tricky, slippery surfaces on the Normandy roads, Pierre displayed his inner rally talents to set some truly fantastic times. 

 

Driving a Skoda Fabia S2000 in his first ‘numbered’ rally, Pierre was able to complete the 120km event, which forms part of the Coupe de France des Rallyes, in real style. 

 

Pierre Ragues commented: “What an event! We have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in this incredible event this weekend. To have the chance to drive the Skoda Fabia S2000 in a regional event for our family and alongside my father is special enough but to finish on the podium in my first proper rally is beyond my greatest dreams. A fantastic result and I am thrilled. It wasn’t the easiest of conditions even if it was dry, but we navigated the Super Special yesterday well to finish in a very close second place, and we had a great time in today’s eight contested stages. We set some amazing times, many in the top three, and it is a real achievement for us to score a podium. It is great to show my driving skills in a different type of event and I hope that we will have the chance to do more in the future.”