After Lyon and Antibes, the Clio R3T France Trophy now heads for Limoges. Although the event is held just days before the official start of the summer, weather conditions at Rallye du Limousin have often proven somewhat unpredictable in the past. Tyre strategies and the crews’ ability to adapt quickly to conditions may well therefore be decisive factors at this, the third round of the Clio R3T France Trophy.

Charles Martin was fourth in Lyon and won in Antibes to move top of the Clio R3T France Trophy overall standings and will be determined to extend his lead. He also has the advantage of being very familiar with this event, his best performance being a third-placed finish in the Twingo R1 Trophy in 2012.

With Benoît Vaillant missing the rally, Philippe Corneau will be Charles Martin’s main challenger, after finishing as runner-up in Antibes. Pascal Bérard will also expect to challenge on what will be his seventh rally of the year, having shown great consistency so far this season. William Pitot is also capable of gate-crashing the party at the front.

After a hesitant debut on his first Trophy appearance, the Dutchman Kevin van Deijne may stake a greater claim here if he can build on the good result achieved at Rallye d’Antibes, where he finished third. A strong performance in Limousin should help him climb the standings.

Damien Tozlanian, eighth in Lyon and sixth on the Côte d’Azur, can look to continue his gradual progression in Limousin, as he pursues his second full season in a Renault Clio R3T. Stéphane Boissy will also be looking to score heavily, whilst Philippe Rageau is set to make his debut in the Trophy.

Charlotte Dalmasso will be aiming to secure the prize for the leading female driver, whilst also hoping to move up the standings after she went off in Antibes. The highest-placed Young driver is equally rewarded at the end of the rally and, in this category, Charles Martin, Kevin van Deijne, William Pitot and Stéphane Boissy will be fighting it out for the Junior prize. In addition to these special categories, the "Jean Ragnotti best performer" standings bonus points to the driver with the most stage wins.

This event will see a certain Manu Guigou take part in a Renault Clio R3T (not in Trophy) and he will undoubtedly be looking to impress on the fast roads of Limousin.

Rallye du Limousin kicks off this Thursday, 16 June with the shakedown, before the first stages are held on Friday. The opening leg starts with three stages contested to the south of Limoges, before the crews head north of the Limousin capital. Crews will complete a loop of three stages there, before repeating the loop twice the following day.

List of entrants
18. Charles Martin – Christiane Nicolet
19. Philippe Corneau – Samuel Grégoire
20. Pascal Bérard – Caroline Bérard
21. Kevin van Deijne – Hein Vershcuuren
22. William Pitot – Romain Brun
23. Damien Tozlanian – Pierre Blot
24. Stéphane Boissy – Jérôme Bard
25. Charlotte Dalmasso – Marine Delon
26. Philippe Rageau – Alexandra Rageau

Standings (before round 3/6)
1. Charles Martin 40 points
2. Benoît Vaillant 35
3. Philippe Corneau 28
4. Rémi Jouines 21
5. Pascal Bérard 19
6. Jérôme Chavannes 16
7. Kevin van Deijne 15
8. Damien Tozlanian 12
8. William Pitot 12
10. Stéphane Boissy 8
11. Charlotte Dalmasso 6
12. Guillaume Bergeon 3 …