Pierre Ragues is set to make a sensational switch from the world of endurance racing into the highly competitive world of rallying this season following impressive performances in local rallies during the past month.

 

Ragues, who is reigning European Le Mans Series champion following a much vaunted season with the Signatech-Alpine team in 2013, will contest a number of rounds of the French Rally Championship, starting with the second round of the FFSA-backed championship at Lyon Charbonnières, at the wheel of a Skoda Fabia S2000.  

 

The French ace has already made a striking impression in rallying this year, scoring two consecutive podiums at Rallye de la Côte Fleurie and, most recently, Rallye du Coutancais, both part of the ‘Coupe de France des Rallyes’. He now plans to transfer all of the skills and experience built up in an enviable endurance racing career into rallying. 

 

Pierre has taken part in seven Le Mans 24 Hour races in his career to date and at just the age of 30 the time is ideal for him to explore new career challenges. While fully committing himself to a number of rounds of the FFSA French Rally Championship, he would also not rule out any future involvement in endurance racing, in particular with Le Mans 24 Hours, if the opportunities arises.

 

Pierre Ragues commented: “I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to enter some rounds of this year’s French Rally Championship with the Skoda Fabia S2000. I have taken part in two local rallies in the past month, both part of the ‘Coupe de France des Rallyes’ and I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges that they pose. Rallying is in our family’s DNA so I cannot wait to get stuck in! I have been in endurance racing for many years and taken part in seven Le Mans 24 Hours. I was also fortunate to take the ELMS title with Signatech-Alpine last year to have continued my association with them into 2014. I am only 30 years of age and have achieved a lot so it is a good time for me to explore new challenges and this opportunity in rallying is perfect for me. I would always be open to more endurance racing in parallel but I am very excited to have the chance to develop a new angle to my career in rallying. Lyon-Charbonnières will be the first real taste and test for me but I have a lot to learn and I cannot wait to get started.” 

 

Lyon Charbonnières takes place from the 17 to 19 April and will be the second round on this year’s French Rally Championship. Pierre will take on some of the most competitive drivers in Europe over the two day rally which takes in 13 stages and run over 211km. The demanding asphalt stages are frequently affected by variable weather. Nonetheless, Ragues will use his racing guile to rise to the challenge. The French star will also be supported by international racewear specialists Sparco and his long term partners Group Auto in this new venture.