Fresh from an impressive finish to his endurance season in the European Le Mans Series last month, French race ace Pierre Ragues is returning to rallying action this weekend as he prepares to content Rally du Var, the final round of the French Rally Championship.

 

Ragues will be joining the Munaretto squad for this weekend’s Rally del Palladio near Vicenza in Italy, getting behind the wheel of a Michelin-shod Peugeot 208 R5 for the first time. The small rally will not mark Pierre’s return to rallying following his ELMS commitments, but will also act as a prelude to the epic Rally du Var event which he will contest for the first time at the end of November.

 

Joining Pierre once again on co-driving duties will be his father Marcel, with whom he has shared numerous rally engagements this season. The duo have already tasted podium success in rallying this year but Rally du Var will offer the pair a new challenge.

 

Pierre will once again benefit from the support of his personal partners Group Auto and Sparco. He has also been helped by simulation company, Ellip 6, with whom Pierre has been working on simulating rallies - in addition to his simulation work on race tracks.  

 

Pierre commented: “I am delighted to be returning to rally action in this weekend’s Rally del Palladio. As well as being a great way to reacclimatise myself with rally, and in particular my first experience working with Munaretto and driving the Peugeot 208 R5, it will be ideal preparation for Rally du Var in which I’ll be competing at the end of the month. Our objective this weekend, along with my father on co-driving duties, will be to settle into a good rhythm with the team and the car, equipped with Michelin tyres, and to build our confidence ahead of Rally du Var. Every rally we have taken part in this year has allowed us to gain valuable experience and I think we will enjoy these new challenges. Thanks to my personal supporters Group Auto, Sparco and Ellip 6, who join us on this next exciting journey."