[19-05-2017]
RALLY RETURN FOR PIERRE RAGUES AS LE MANS LOOMS
 Fresh from his recent participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship race at Spa-Francorchamps, Pierre Ragues will be making a return to competitive rallying this weekend.
The French ace will be taking part in the 22nd running of Rallye de Mézidon-Canon, which is part of the prestigious Coupe de France des Rallyes. Pierre will once again be behind the wheel of a Skoda Fabia R5 with co-driver Julien Pesenti for his third rally event of 2017.
Pierre won the R5 class at Rallye de la Cote Fleurie before also contesting the Rallye du Touquet Pas de Calais in March. He showed competitive pace in both rallies, fighting at the same level as many of the French Rally Championship stars. He will be aiming to fight for R5 victory again this weekend.
The rally takes place over Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 May with an opening day of reconnaissance followed by an intense day of six special stages. There will be three loops of two stages – 6.88km Mézidon and 6.04km Les Authieux.
Pierre will be using this weekend’s rally not only to continue honing his proven skills on a competitive rally event, but also to keep his driving skills sharp ahead of the biggest endurance race of the year – the 24 Hours of Le Mans – which takes place next month.
Pierre commented: “It was great to get our WEC campaign underway at Spa a few weeks ago, but I am now looking forward to this weekend’s rally event in Normandy. Together with Yacco and my co-driver Julien, I have taken part in two competitive French rallies this year with mixed fortunes. In both events I have felt competitive and comfortable in the Skoda Fabia R5 and capable to compete strongly with some of the best French rally drivers. Having won the R5 class in Cote Fleurie and battled hard at Touquet, I am hopeful of being up there again this weekend, which will be another important round in the Coupe de France des Rallyes. As always, I have the backing of my fantastic partners, GroupAuto, Top Garage, Sparco, Ellip6 and to Yacco, which is highly appreciated. Let’s go and get a good result!”
Itinerary
SS1 08h33 Mézidon 6.88km
SS2 08h51 Les Authieux 6.04km
SS3 12h14 Mézidon 6.88km
SS4 12h32 Les Authieux 6.04km
SS5 15h25 Mézidon 6.88km
SS6 15h43 Les Authieux 6.04km
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