The 2023 Clio Trophy France Asphalte season-finale at the Rallye Cœur de France hosted 31 crews and their Clio Rally5s in Vendôme. After the recce, scrutineering and shakedown, Mattéo Chatillon, Mike Souvigné, José Da Cunha and Jean-Pierre Lejeune each won a tyre in a draw organised by Ceerta, the official Michelin Motorsport distributor for the French Rally Championship.

By starting the event, the general classification leader Benjamin Stirling secured his crown, but the battle for the Teams title was lively from the outset. Arthur Pelamourgues and Fun Meca Sport set the fastest time on SS1, but Sébastien Loeb Racing responded via Benjamin Stirling in the following timed sector. After the neutralisation of SS3, Benjamin Barnouin dictated the pace, but Arthur Pelamourgues maintained a four-second advantage at midday.

Fun Meca Sport’s ambitions suffered a consequential setback on the second loop. Already diminished by the retirement of Romain Fostier on SS1, the Charente-Maritime-based team lost Tom Pellerey and Arthur Pelamourgues in the opening two stages of the afternoon. After taking the lead, Benjamin Barnouin overcame a spin and the fastest times set by his rivals to finish the day with a 3.2s advantage over Yoan Corberand. The gaps remained tight however as Benjamin Stirling, Julien Deslauriers and Mattéo Chatillon followed in a top five covered by 6.3s.

The two longest special stages on the route awaited the crews on Sunday. In the morning, Benjamin Barnouin extended his advantage to 6.1s on the first run through Sargé-sur-Braye before the SS11 was stopped. Behind him, Benjamin Stirling, Julien Deslauriers and Yoan Corberand swapped positions before the latter regained the upper hand by dominating the Jean Ragnotti Power Stage.

Despite Yoan Corberand’s final push in Savigny-sur-Braye, Benjamin Barnouin held on to win for the second time this year by a margin of 0.5s after 192.67 km of breathtaking action. Meanwhile, Julien Deslauriers snatched third place from Benjamin Stirling, while Mattéo Chatillon finished fifth, just 14.7s behind the winner. Sixth-placed Tom Vauclare finished ahead of Arthur Roché, who put in a solid performance on home soil, including a stage win through the streets of Vendôme on Saturday evening. Nicolas Hebrard, Bastien Gouret and Calvin Lucas rounded out the top ten.

Benjamin Stirling officially succeeds Anthony Fotia, Romain Di-Fante and Thomas Chauffray as the Clio Trophy France Asphalte title-winner. The top Junior also led Groupe Bertrand to the title in the Renault Network Challenge and will have an official programme in 2024. Sébastien Loeb Racing will run his Clio Rally3 as unveiled during the prize-giving ceremony. Despite Yoan Corberand’s fastest time in the Power Stage, Arthur Pelamourgues won the Jean Ragnotti Trophy by a single point from his rival, whilst Mike Souvigné and Margot Dupuy sealed their titles in the Gentlemen and Women’s categories.

Alongside the Clio Trophy France Asphalte, Clio Rally3 scored a one-two finish in its class led by Thomas Chauffray, who also finished second in the Michelin Trophy. Clio Rally4 also excelled in the Loir-et-Cher, with a podium sweep led by Styve Juif. Lastly, Margot Dupuy led Clio Rally5 to victory in excess of 30 minutes in round seven of the French Women’s Rally Championship.

Benjamin Barnouin : "I honestly didn’t expect to be on the podium in this rally, let alone the top step ! The Coeur de France has a different road profile from what I’m used to in the Vaucluse, but I was fortunate to have Romain on my right. He helped me progress greatly this weekend and played a key role in this result. We had a big spin on Saturday, which cost us almost 20 seconds. That closed the gap, and we had no choice but to push on Sunday. It was tough, but we stayed in front right to the end, which makes this victory all the more magnificent."

Dominique Heintz, Sébastien Loeb Racing Team Manager : "Coming to the Clio Trophy France Asphalte was something we really wanted to do, as the history of Sébastien Loeb Racing began in feeder series, where you can take on the best at a lower cost. We really wanted to repeat the experience, and I still remember my call to Benjamin Stirling. He listened to us, followed us and put in a lot of hard work, and the results are there for everyone to see. I’d also like to congratulate and thank all our drivers and co-drivers, whose contribution is essential in rallying. I hope we can defend our trophy next year and do some great things with the official car we will have the pleasure of running for Benjamin and Florence."

Clio Trophy France Asphalte - Rallye Cœur de France
1. Benjamin Barnouin – Romain Garel (J) 1h55:55.2s
2. Yoan Corberand – Jessika Leprêtre +0.5s
3. Julien Deslauriers – Amandine Brunel +6.1s
4. Benjamin Stirling – Florence Stirling (J) +11.0s
5. Matteo Chatillon – Maxence Cornuau (J) +14.7s
6. Tom Vauclare – Frédéric Vauclare (J) +1:35.3s
7. Arthur Roché – Alizée Pottier (J) +2:39.8s
8. Nicolas Hebrard – Amandine Houry +2:53.7s
9. Bastien Gouret – Allison Guillon (J) +3:28.9s
10. Calvin Lucas – Manon Perrin (J) +3:34.6s
11. Enzo Beschet – Romain Gandre (J) +3:52.2s
12. Mike Souvigné – Alexia Desnoyer (G) +4:14.3s
13. Marius Bureau – Romain Depeux (J) +4:17.3s
14. Willy Mathey – Maelle Casays (G) +4’:41.7s
15. Margot Dupuy – « Clochette » (F) +4:46.8s
16. Romuald Lézeau – Clément Cretin +4:48.9s
17. Amaury Facchinetti – Léo Lhomme (J) +5:11.4s
18. Antoine Bordagaray – Brice Ricou (J) +6:00.4s
19. Pascal Donnadieu – Laurent Delmas (G) +6:15.6s
20. Ugo Girardeau – Julien Bichon +8:24.0s
21. José Da Cunha – Magalie Da Cunha (G) +9:14.7s
22. Philippe Janvier – Benjamin Mondiere (G) +12:29.1s
23. Christophe Gouville – François Heer +13:58.9s
24. Quentin Mathey – Matthieu Chartier (J) +27:12.9s
25. Arthur Pelamourgues – Bastien Dumas (J) +31:02.1s
26. Martin Massé – Melvine Pitois (J) +33:46.4s
27. Valentin Marechal – Kevin Poisson (J) +37:16.6s
Ret. Jean-Pierre Lejeune – Geneviève Arnavielhe (G)
Ret. Tom Pellerey – Hervé Faucher (J)
Ret. Romain Fostier – Ophélie Abchiche
Ret. Jordan D’Agostino – Manon Deliot (J)

Clio Trophy France Asphalte - Jean Ragnotti Power Stage Trophy - Teams standings - Renault Network Challenge