Equipe de France impressive in Corsica
The Equipe de France FFSA performed magnificently on this year`s Tour de Corse. Works Subaru driver Stephane Sarrazin took fourth place, hot on the heels of team-mate Petter Solberg.
There was seldom much to choose between the two drivers as they battled on the roads around Ajaccio. Flying the flag for Skoda Motorsport, Alexandre Bengué moved steadily up the order as the event progressed and finally worked his way into sixth place to give the Czech manufacturer its best result of the campaign.

Driving the lone surviving Peugeot 307 WRC in the wake of Marcus Grönholm`s retirement, Nicolas Bernardi upped his pace after a steady start and annexed eighth place – a result that earned the Sochaux manufacturer two precious points in the World Championship for Manufacturers.

Last but not least, Nicolas Vouilloz was faced with task of debugging a brand-new, 2005-spec Skoda Fabia WRC, but he did a fine job and made sure he`ll be in good shape when he tackles next weekend`s Catalunya Rally. Indeed, the full Equipe de France FFSA Rallye will be in action in Spain, where they will be out to repeat their successful endeavours on the Rallye de France–Tour de Corse.

Stage summary

Nicolas Bernardi (works Peugeot 307 WRC)
After his softly-softly approach at the start, the Gard driver began to show his true potential on Saturday morning. Growing in confidence at the wheel of a 307 WRC finally tailored to his driving style, he delivered a string of top-notch performances that put him consistently among the top six on Saturday – and occasionally among the top three on Sunday. Nico`s progress on the ‘Ile de Beauté` has made him a man to watch when he swings back into action next weekend, just south-west of the Pyrénées…

Nicolas Vouilloz (Skoda Fabia WRC)
The other Nico did everything that could have been asked of him in Corsica. In just three days, and not a second more, he managed to come up with a workable compromise that turned a completely untried chassis into an effective rally contender. Like Bernardi, he grew in confidence as the event wore on and regularly began to appear among the top 10 stage times from Saturday morning onwards. He has high hopes of doing well in Spain next weekend.

Alexandre Bengue (Skoda Fabia WRC)
Alex finally reached the halfway point of his own mini-season – and did so with considerable panache. Apart from the Saturday stages, whose rough, twisty nature didn`t suit his Skoda, he was a model of consistency throughout. His was a significant result: sixth place marked Skoda`s best result of the season and equalled the highest finish for a Fabia WRC since the car made its WRC debut (a Fabia also finished sixth in Finland last year).

Stephane Sarrazin (Subaru Impreza WRC)
After finishing 6th here in an Impreza last season, Stéphane has moved up two places. Most importantly, however, he proved he could be a match for team-mate Petter Solberg. On one stage he set second quickest time, behind the invincible Loeb. It`s worth noting that the Gard driver finished 4th in Spain last year. What might lie in store next weekend?

In their own words…

Nicolas Bernardi
“The 307 WRC is an exceptional car, but it takes a bit of learning. My stage times were a source of great encouragement for the future though. Now we need to look ahead calmly to Catalunya.”

Nicolas Vouilloz
“I`m not at all unhappy after the mad rush we had to get ready for this event. We made a great deal of progress with the car, which I didn`t sit in until Friday, and ended up setting some decent times. At least we have some idea where we are now as we prepare for Spain.”

Alexandre Bengue
“I think I proved how well I can drive. I am delighted to have given Skoda such a strong result – this has been excellent preparation for next weekend`s Catalunya Rally.”

Stephane Sarrazin
“Your right foot is the key if you want to take on past and present world champions. I hope this strong result will provide the foundations for another next weekend. I will do everything I can to make that happen.”


Tags: corsica, france, ffsa,