Pierre Ragues has claimed a fantastic podium and victory in the R5 class in this weekend’s Rallye de la Côte Fleurie, finishing in second place overall in his first rally of the year in the Citroën DS3 R5.

 

The Frenchman, partnered by new co-driver Tibo Gorczyca, got back into the rally groove quickly during Friday’s opening two stages of the classic Normandy rally. In wet, muddy and very slippery conditions, he finished quickest in R5 class and third overall in the first stage, taking a deliberately cautious approach. In the second stage, building up his confidence, Ragues finished second overall just 0.9s from the pace set by a WRC car. 

 

The only issue from the first two stages was a power steering problem, which the Racing Service team resolved in Saturday morning service ahead the first of seven stages today. Pierre kept up his strong start into the second day and consolidated his position as quickest R5 driver by the end of the day. 

 

The result helped Pierre and Tibo to claim an impressive podium overall, going one position better than Pierre’s achievements in this event last year. The performance reinforces Pierre’s natural talents on the rally stage and represents an exciting year-on-year improvement.   

 

Pierre will take part in at least three more rallies with the Racing Service team this season, and will be hoping to continue with this high level of performance. His next event will be Rallye du Touquet in mid-March, the opening round of the French Rally Championship

 

Ragues said: “This podium and class win is a fantastic result for me, personally. Cote Fleurie is a fine rally and I have happy memories from last year, so it is wonderful to finish on the podium yet again – going one place better than last season. Tibo and I got into a good rhythm almost immediately yesterday despite the tricky, muddy and very slippery conditions. I felt at ease with the Citroën DS3 R5 and the Michelin tyres, and I was able to get the best out of myself and the car. We were not far from the pace of the WRC car which won and this is something I am incredibly proud of. This is just my first rally of the 2015 season so I am very happy to secure such a positive result. Thanks to my partners for their support in this event – Group Auto, Sparco, Top Garage and Ellip6 – I hope this is the start of another very competitive season for me in rally. I can’t wait until the next one!”