Popular with both crews and observers, the Clio Trophy France Asphalte and the Clio Trophy France Terre have gained a prominent status on the French rally scene since Clio Rally5 launch in 2020. Both developed around the model, the competitions have grown steadily to become the perfect springboard for young hopefuls and amateurs looking for thrills on the most famous French stages.

After an exceptional year gathering more than 130 crews, 2023 promises to be even more exciting, combining continuity and subtle changes. The Clio Trophy France Asphalte and Clio Trophy France Terre will remain strictly independent, with complementary calendars so that drivers can compete on both surfaces if they wish to take full advantage of the proven versatility of Clio Rally5.

Each trophy will still be contested over five French Rally Championship events. The calendars will evolve slightly, with the return of Clio Trophy France Asphalte on Rallye Cœur de France and the first appearance of Rallye Terre d’Aléria on the Clio Trophy France Terre bill. On the sporting front, only the four best results will count while the two competitions will now have the same points system to better portray the hierarchy in increasingly expanding fields.

Alpine Racing will also continue to support its customers by guaranteeing sporting and technical fairness for all contenders and offering unrivalled technical support at this level of the pyramid. Other assets will be available, such as a spare parts truck and a service park kit at each event, as well as promotional actions around both trophies.

The bonus scheme will remain just as attractive to reward the competitors in the various categories : Overall, Juniors, Gentlemen, Women, Teams and Renault Network Challenge. With spare-part vouchers and cash prizes, the bonuses will be increased by more than 10% so that competitors will share more than €250,000 in results prizes throughout the season, which can be added to start and fidelity bonuses.

In keeping with its long-term commitment to making motorsport more accessible, Renault will use the Clio Trophy France Asphalte and Clio Trophy France Terre to continue its graduate scheme for the most promising youngsters. Like Anthony Fotia in 2020, Romain Di-Fante and Quentin Ribaud in 2021, and soon Tom Pieri and Florian Bouchonneau, the best Juniors from each trophy will be offered an official programme in 2024, run by the structure that wins the team classification in their respective trophies.

For more information about the 2023 Clio Trophy France Asphalte and Clio Trophy France Terre seasons, click here.

2023 provisional calendars*

Clio Trophy France Asphalte
16-18 March : Rallye Le Touquet – Pas de Calais
18-20 May : Rallye Antibes Côte d’Azur
6-8 July : Rallye Aveyron Rouergue Occitanie
7-9 September : Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine
29 September-1 October : Rallye Cœur de France

Clio Trophy France Terre
30 March -1 April : Rallye Terre des Causses
1-3 June : Rallye Terre d’Aléria
21-23 July : Rallye Terre de Langres
25-27 August : Rallye Terre de Lozère
6-8 October : Rallye Terre des Cardabelles

*These calendars will be definitive after the final validation of the 2023 French Rally Championship calendars by the FFSA and the approval of the rallies’ organisers.

ABOUT THE CLIO TROPHY FRANCE ASPHALTE AND TERRE

After a successful launch, Clio Rally5 is now taking on all surfaces with the Clio Trophy France Asphalte and the Clio Trophy France Terre. With two calendars intentionally independent and complementary to maximise the opportunities for all, each trophy consists of five rounds of the FFSA French Taramc or Gravel Rally Championship. Junior, Gentlemen, Female and Teams categories allow all the contenders to be valorised while enjoying unrivalled technical support and a unique level of equity at this level of the pyramid. A real springboard for the most promising hopefuls, the best Juniors on each surface at the end of the year will be offered an official programme.

ABOUT RENAULT

Renault, a historic mobility brand and pioneer of electric vehicles in Europe, has always developed innovative vehicles. With the ‘Renaulution’ strategic plan, Renault has embarked on an ambitious, value-generating transformation moving towards a more competitive, balanced and electrified range. Its ambition is to embody modernity and innovation in technology, energy and mobility services in the automotive industry and beyond.