[14-04-2014]
PIERRE RAGUES SET FOR FRENCH RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP DEBUT AT LYON-CHARBONNIÈRES
 French driving star Pierre Ragues is ready to begin his brand new adventure as he embarks on his debut rally in the FFSA-endorsed French Rally Championship next week.
Ragues, who is reigning European Le Mans Series champion and continues to act as an ambassador for the Alpine brand, will follow some of the world’s finest racers with a switch to rally following competitive performances in a number of Coupe de France des Rallyes events earlier this year.
The French star will join Deslandes Sport and be co-driven by his father Marcel in a Skoda Fabia S2000 in the 66th running of the Rallye Lyon Charbonnières Rhône which runs from 17-19 April. The event runs over a distance of 685.5km of which 194.4km will be made up of 13 timed stages.
Ragues will undertake recce for the event on Tuesday with a shakedown scheduled for Thursday. Pierre will be using the opportunity to continue his acclimatisation to the competitive world of rallying, as he joins the famous event alongside 152 other crews.
It will be a fascinating event for Ragues as he looks to transition from his championship-winning success in endurance racing into rallying, in which he has already shown a natural aptitude and talent. He will continue to be partnered by his long-term supporters, Group Auto.
Pierre Ragues said: “I am really looking forward to starting my first rally in the French championship at Lyon Charbonnières. Rallying has become such a passion to me this year and I am really pleased to have the chance to continue developing my skills in such a competitive event. There will be over 150 entries and it will be a learning curve for me, so I intend to soak everything up and immerse myself fully into the rally. Driving alongside my father is always great and it’s nice to keep it in the family. We had a lot of fun in the two rallies we took part in earlier this year with strong results but we realise this is a bigger event so we will treat it with the respect it deserves. We have recce on Tuesday and shakedown on Thursday, followed by two days of action over eight different stages and 13 timed stages in total, so it will be an action-packed event. I am grateful for this opportunity and for the continued backing of my personal partners Group Auto.”
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