The Rallye Terre d’Aleria was added to the French Gravel Rally Championship last year and captured the hearts of the service park with its stunning special stages. This year, the Corsican roads could change the complexion of an already thrilling title race.

The first winner of the year, Tom Pellerey, picked up some big points in the Castine to extend his championship advantage. The CHL Sport Auto driver heads to Aleria 37 points clear of his nearest rival and the only other driver to have finished each round on the podium this season, Faniry Rasoamaromaka. Their battle will be intense, but they must watch out for Mika Rasoamaromaka. Fifth in Corsica a year ago, the Madagascan will rely on his experience to build on his historic maiden win at Brétenoux.

Facing these three Juniors in contention for an official programme in 2025, Benjamin Boulenc is targeting a first victory on the soil of his first Clio Trophy France Terre podium. With five consecutive top-four finishes under his belt, the Frenchman hopes to give them a run for their money, as are Benjamin Stirling and Arthur Pelamourgues, who will look to confirm their promising debuts on gravel. Baptiste Panissié and Jean Lavigne are also keen to build on their experience to move closer to the front, as will Thomas Eustaquio, last year’s winner in A6 class, and Anthony Rovina, ready to defend the Corsican colours on his home island. 2022 Clio Trophy Belgium winner, Benoit Verlinde wants to raise his game after his first appearance at the Castine.

Past Clio Trophy France Terre victors Bastien Bergounhe and Jean Paul Monnin look to reignite their campaigns after a tough start to the season, but they will have to get the better of several improving protagonists, such as Aurélien Devanthéry, Ludovic De Luca, Alexandre Gransagne, and Yannick Francisci, the other Corsican driver in the mix. Meanwhile, Christophe Truchet and Ludovic Casciani are determined to convert their efforts into a solid result before moving into the second half of the season.

Several competitors hope to take advantage of points leader Jean-Michel Da Cunha’s absence in the Gentlemen category. Lilian Vialle can draw on the experience he gained last year in Corsica, but he will have to get the better of Vincent Favre-Miville, who beat him in 2023. Xavier Pruvot, Joan Font and Dimitri Felices will also aim for a good showing on their Aleria debut with Clio Rally5. Meanwhile, Déborrah Marie will look to extend her lead in the Women’s category while underlining her progress in the general classification.

Five Clio Rally3s will be in action on the Isle of Beauty, including the official car in the hands of Matteo Chatillon and Maxence Cornuau, the top Juniors in last year’s Clio Trophy France Terre. With their 3P Racing by ARL Sport-prepared car, the Renault recommends Castrol crew returns to the special stages of France after two consecutive WRC3 podium finishes in Croatia and Portugal. Quentin Ribaud, the first-ever winner of the trophy, will also be present with the four-wheel drive model, as will Michäel Lobry, Jérôme Jacquot and Guillaume Tardy.

The 2nd Rallye Terre d’Aleria gets underway on Thursday with the shakedown as well as the administrative and technical scrutineering. The following day, the crews will conduct their recce runs before two loops of three timed sectors separated by a mid-day service. On Saturday, two competitive sections in Les Lunaries, 23.87km long, and L’Écurie come before the podium ceremony. The total length of the route is 265.14km, with 126.72km of timed sections. In addition to the points awarded at the finish, up to five ‘Performer Jean Ragnotti’ points will be at stake for the five fastest drivers on each special stage.

Entry list
#56 Tom Pellerey – Hervé Faucher (J)
#57 Faniry Rasoamaromaka – François Heer (J)
#58 Benjamin Boulenc – Chloé Barozzi-Gauze
#59 Mika Rasoamaromaka – Bastien Pouget (J)
#60 Benjamin Stirling – Florence Stirling (J)
#61 Arthur Pelamourgues – Enzo Mahinc (J)
#62 Alexandre Gransagne – Loïc Maurel
#63 Yannick Francisci – Carla Gaffayoli
#64 Baptiste Panissié – Gaël Lavernhe (J)
#65 Jean Lavigne – Arnaud Cubizolles (J)
#66 Bastien Bergounhe – Mathieu Descharne (J)
#67 Jean Paul Monnin – Franck Gilliot
#68 Aurélien Devanthery – Gaël Delasoie
#69 Ludovic De Luca – José Boyer
#70 Anthony Rovina – Jean-Baptiste Bacchiolelli (J)
#71 Benoit Verlinde – Anton Dupan (J)
#72 Thomas Eustaquio – Pauline Compozieux (J)
#73 Dimitri Felices – « Clochette » (G)
#74 Ludovic Casciani – Raphaël Angelou
#75 Christophe Truchet – Barbara Truchet
#76 Lilian Vialle – Manuel Ghirardello (G)
#77 Vincent Favre-Miville – Maelle Casays (G)
#78 Xavier Pruvot – Nathalie Pruvot (G)
#79 Joan Font – Enrique Velasco (G)
#80 Déborrah Marie – Amandine Houry (F)