Ardenne Bleu : Citroen Sport - Finish
In order to further the validation process of the `asphalt` version of the new C2-R2 as quickly as possible, the team entrusted with developing the cars destined to be made available by the Customer Competition Department decided to take part in the opening round of the 2006 Belgian Rally Championship, the Ardenne Bleue Rallye, which is based in the Verviers region.

Run by P. H. Sport, the Citroën Sport development car was driven by the winner of the 2005 C2 Rally Challenge, Julien Pressac. The Vendée-born driver was partnered by a new co-driver, Gilles de Turckheim.

The first day of the event didn`t last long for Julien as the weather took a turn for the worse and snow moved in. Running on barely `cut` intermediates, the Frenchman wasn`t on ideal tyres for the conditions, but it was ultimately a gearbox mounting problem that halted him four stages into the ten-stage opening leg.



Happily, Sunday proved much more rewarding for Julien who was able to re-start under the SupeRally ruling. Although a top finish was clearly out of the question, eight fastest times in the A6 class from the day`s ten stages provided a good pointer to the C2-R2`s potential and the components the team was looking to validate (engine/transmission) ran without a hiccough.

"This was my very first experience of the notoriously difficult Belgian rally scene," said Julien. "You`ve effectively got to see the stages to believe them. The dirt dug up on the inside of the corners ends up covering the entire road. But it was interesting to compete in these conditions because I`m told you can come across the same on certain East European events. My C2-R2 proved extremely nimble and great fun to drive. I really enjoyed myself…"

Tags: rally,