FIA World Rally Championship

For the second fixture of their official programme with Clio Rally3 in the FIA World Rally Championship, Matteo Chatillon and Maxence Cornuau took on an unfamiliar challenge at Rally Sweden. The ARL Sport crew gradually cut their teeth before a costly setback when snow blocked them in a spectator-free zone on SS8. Restarting on Saturday, the duo showed their impressive potential with three consecutive fastest times in WRC3 to climb to eighth place and score their first points of the season.

Matteo Chatillon : "This rally was a unique experience and an incredible adventure. I learnt a lot and took away a lot of positives. The specific characteristics of Sweden make it a rally like no other. It was a steep learning curve between the snow, the fabulous landscapes and reading the grip. We tackled the rally with humility, especially as few drivers get to drive on these kinds of roads. I am thrilled to have competed in this event with a view to my future. Of course, there were a few twists and turns, and we went through the full range of emotions, but the main target was to learn. Our goals are high this season, but we have made bold choices by selecting demanding rounds to prepare ourselves as best we can for the future. This weekend also allowed us to show our ability to keep improving. We got caught in a sudden snowstorm on Friday evening. Still, we bounced back by setting three consecutive fastest times in WRC3 on Saturday against local drivers and ahead of many experienced competitors in Junior WRC. It also shows that we implemented an effective strategy to regain confidence and score some points. We are still considering our next rounds, but one thing is for sure : the gravel season is coming, and we can’t wait to get back on track. It will be an opportunity to feel even more comfortable and aim for strong results on events we know better. Once again, thank you to everyone who has made this adventure possible with ARL Sport. We are one big family, and I am proud to be part of it !"

The French were not the only ones to stand out, as the Ville Vatanen - Jarno Ottman and Leevi Lassila - Antti Linnaketo duos were at the sharp end of the order, giving Clio Rally3 a total of 13 WRC3 best times out of the 18 stages on the route. Shotaro Goto - Jussi Lindberg and Takumi Matsushita - Pekkar Kelander crews were also fast, the latter finishing just 18.9s off the podium. Éric Royère and Alexis Grenier finished just outside the top ten. Lastly, Italy’s Carlo Covi and Michela Lorigiola claimed Clio Rally5’s 28th win in the WRC with their RC5 victory.

Clio Cup Middle East

Season three of the Clio Cup Middle East ended at the Yas Marina Circuit. Harry Hannam (ECBX Motorsport), who clinched the title at the previous meeting, celebrated in style by monopolizing the poles, victories and fastest laps in the race. Victorious twice ahead of Ivan Tverdohlebov (Continental Racing) and Youssef Gaber (Uniq Racing), the British challenger finished his first car racing campaign with 11 wins from 12 starts, scoring the maximum 250 points after deducting his two worst results. Gentlemen drivers Ivan Tverdohlebov and Youssef Gaber complete the top three in the general classification.

French Rally Cup

Clio Rally3 and Clio Rally5 also starred in France. Nicolas Miclo and Brice Pierrat led a Clio Rally3 sweep of the top four in class at the Rallye des Roches Brunes, where Yohan Codaccioni and Hugo Olivier impressed by finishing in the top ten overall in their Clio Rally5. Meanwhile, David Valomet and Thierry Grallien won their class in their Clio Rally5 at the Haute Vallée d’Azergues Rally, as did Maxime Fourmaux and Margaux Perrin, who came ninth overall and won in Rally5 at the Marquenterre Rally.

And elsewhere

Clio Rally3 and Clio Rally5 were each victorious, with the Italian crews of Ludwig Zigliani and Silvia Rocchi and their compatriots Matteo Saidero and Simone Crosilla in the first Rally in Circuit event (Croatia). In Italy, Paolo Buscone - Mattia Bartolucci and Geronimo Nerobutto - Matteo Zaramella won their respective classes at the Rally Terra Valle del Tevere. Lastly, Clio Rally3 finished just short of the overall podium at the Kontiolahti Ralli (Finland) with Mikko Nevalainen and Petri Silvennoinen. Clio Rally4 also claimed victory with Vilma Kivenne and Leevi Jaakonsaari at the Vesilahden Liikenne Oy Ralli (Finland), whilst Clio Rally5 won with Pere Rovira Salvadó and Marc Qué Canals at the Rally Lloret de Mar (Spain).

📸 Pro One Media, DPPI & Clio Cup Middle East