By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
    Auto ShowsShow More
    BMW and Alvaro Barrington celebrate hydrogen mobility at Art Basel in Basel 2025
    June 18, 2025
    MHB DEALER EXPO 2025 – A Premier Automotive Networking Experience
    June 17, 2025
    Entries Open for The Cape 1000 – South Africa’s Most Beautiful Drive Returns for 2026
    June 10, 2025
    Ulterio Motiv Toyota Land Cruiser 6×6 and 6×4 to invade Land Cruiser Festival
    June 3, 2025
    Maserati enthrals at FuoriConcorso with GT2 Stradale and MCXtrema
    May 14, 2025
  • Bikes
    BikesShow More
    Desmo450 MX: Production of the first Ducati Motocross bike begins
    May 28, 2025
    25YM Honda NC750X
    May 13, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RS
    May 2, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RT
    April 30, 2025
    Honda NC750X Named Winner in 2025 Red Dot Design Award
    April 10, 2025
  • News
    NewsShow More
    Porsche 963 cars raise 600,000 euros in Le Mans towards Racing for Charity
    June 20, 2025
    50 Years of BMW Art Cars and the BMW 3 Series at the BMW Museum
    June 20, 2025
    Ford Performance Returns to Pikes Peak with Electric Super Mustang Mach-E Demonstrator
    June 20, 2025
    Winners of ISUZU AI Innovation Challenge 2024 announced
    June 18, 2025
    Kia Tasman Blazes New Trail 
    June 18, 2025
  • Concepts
    ConceptsShow More
    TOYOTA GAZOO Racing unveils liquid hydrogen-fueled “GR LH2 Racing Concept” at Le Mans
    June 11, 2025
    FIAT unveils the manifesto Grande Panda 4×4
    May 20, 2025
    Renault 4 Savane 4×4 Concept makes its global debut at Roland-Garros 2025
    May 16, 2025
    Hyundai Motor and Plus Unveil Concept for Autonomous Hydrogen Freight Ecosystem at ACT Expo 202
    May 2, 2025
    Hyundai Motor Unveils the new IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 6 N Line
    April 5, 2025
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    24-hour race at Le Mans, the Nürburgring and Spa – triple marathon for Mercedes-AMG Motorsport
    June 10, 2025
    Kosmas “Dudie” Mamaloukos – The Formidable Racing Talent
    May 15, 2025
    Hi-Range Safari City
    Hi-Range Safari City – The Premier outfitter for 4×4 customization
    May 15, 2025
    BEHIND THE SCENES: ARCHIE RUTHERFORD ON WHAT IT TAKES TO BRING THE W2RC TO SOUTH AFRICA
    May 9, 2025
    Europe and China’s automotive future in a shifting global order
    May 5, 2025
  • EVs
    EVsShow More
    Polestar 3 OTA update introduces new Abbey Road Studios Mode exclusively for Bowers & Wilkins audio system
    June 18, 2025
    No Compromise Ford Ranger PHEV Brings Electric Power to Europe’s Best-Selling Pickup
    June 18, 2025
    Scania launches MCS rapid charging solution at EVS38
    June 18, 2025
    Ford Begins Capri and Explorer Battery Pack Assembly in Cologne
    June 17, 2025
    Special Envoy Launches XPress – SA’s First Full EV Courier Fleet
    June 11, 2025
  • Motosport
    MotosportShow More
    Commanding performance by Škoda at Rally Poland
    June 20, 2025
    Nissan Formula E Team ready for Jakarta return as Season 11 enters closing stages
    June 20, 2025
    Martin Prokop Becomes First Privateer for Ford Raptor T1+
    June 18, 2025
    The 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans in Numbers
    June 18, 2025
    Samantha Tan makes her debut in the MINI John Cooper Works at the Nürburgring
    June 18, 2025
  • Trucks & Buses
    Trucks & BusesShow More
    Scania launches MCS rapid charging solution at EVS38
    June 18, 2025
    Daimler Truck and Volvo Group launch Coretura
    June 17, 2025
    Volvo Trucks launches upgraded Volvo Dynamic Steering system to increase road safety
    June 17, 2025
    MAN starts series production of electric trucks
    June 17, 2025
    UD Trucks Southern Africa celebrates dealers breaking barriers at 2025 awards ceremony
    June 11, 2025
  • Reviews
    ReviewsShow More
    THE NEW HAVAL H6 SUV IS HERE, AND IT’S BUILT FOR BIG MOMENTS!
    June 18, 2025
    THE NEW PEUGEOT E-208 GTi MORE PLEASURE. MORE GTi THAN EVER!
    June 17, 2025
    New BMW XM options: maximum exclusivity and breathtaking performance.
    June 12, 2025
    The Audi Q5 e-hybrid: all-rounder with great electric range
    June 11, 2025
    Lotus introduces 2026 Emira V6 SE and Emira Turbo
    June 6, 2025
  • Tech
    TechShow More
    New Kia App provides European drivers with a unified digital experience
    June 17, 2025
    Abbey Road Studios Mode makes global debut in Volvo EX90
    June 17, 2025
    Audi develops the picking process of the future
    June 2, 2025
    Volvo EX90 LiDAR and smartphone cameras: What you need to know
    June 2, 2025
    VNC Automotive Partners with P3 to Enhance the SPARQ OS Platform
    May 29, 2025
Hot News
Commanding performance by Škoda at Rally Poland
Porsche 963 cars raise 600,000 euros in Le Mans towards Racing for Charity
Nissan Formula E Team ready for Jakarta return as Season 11 enters closing stages
50 Years of BMW Art Cars and the BMW 3 Series at the BMW Museum
Ford Performance Returns to Pikes Peak with Electric Super Mustang Mach-E Demonstrator
Latest News

Seven down, one country to go for Nissan Daring Africa 2024

Latest News

JLR INVESTS IN VEHICLE SECURITY TO REDUCE THEFTS

Latest News

Three-millionth electrified vehicle rolls off BMW Group’s Munich production line

Latest News

Mercedes-Benz sold 594,600 cars and vans in the third quarter

Font ResizerAa
The Auto MagazineThe Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Search
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Follow US
Crafted by Intellegere Media. © 2024 The Auto Magazine. All rights reserved.
Motosport

Godard ends the season with a first win in the Var

Itumeleng Garebatshabe
Last updated: November 29, 2023 15:46
By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
562 Views
7 Min Read
Share
7 Min Read
SHARE
  • Ludovic Godard scored his maiden victory in the final round of the 2023 Alpine Elf Rally Trophy season at the Rallye du Var.
  • Co-driven this weekend by Thomas Chauffray, the Team Minerva driver finishes the season runner-up to Pierre Roché, who secured the title on the Rallye Cœur de France.
  • Third behind Grégory Fontalba, Vincent Leduc won among the Gentlemen to take the category title ahead of Jean-François Mourgues.
  • The Alpine A110 Rally completed its clean sheet in the two-wheel drive ranks whilst claiming another overall podium result in the French Rally Championship in the hands of Cédric Robert.

Seven crews lined up at the start in Sainte-Maxime to conclude season three of the Alpine Elf Rally Trophy. Among the contenders, Pierre Roché quickly demonstrated his intention to score a fifth consecutive success after securing the crown in late September on the Rallye Cœur de France.

Contents
ClassificationGeneral classification

The Team FJ driver set the best time in the opening timed sector on Friday, but Ludovic Godard snatched the lead from him in Bormes-les-Mimosas before out-pacing him again in Collobrières. Despite Pierre Roché’s reply in the last special stage of the day, Ludovic Godard returned to the service park with a 1.6s lead, with Gregory Fontalba still in the hunt. Behind the leading trio, Loïc Panagiotis and Vincent Leduc battled for fourth place ahead of Jean-François Mourgues and’Éric Royère, partnered by a new co-driver this weekend.

- Advertisement -
Ad image

The duel for victory changed in the early hours of the second leg. Pierre Roché suffered a mechanical problem following a contact the day before and lost ground on SS5 and SS6 before calling it a day. Ludovic Godard set three consecutive fastest times to extend his advantage over Grégory Fontalba to 28.6s before Fontalba broke the leader’s run of best times before midday.

Ludovic Godard began to manage his lead in the afternoon. Despite the performances of his rivals on three of the loop’s four stages, the Team Minerva driver increased the gap with his stage win in Pignans, relegating his closest challenger to 49.9s. With two scratch times, Loïc Panagiotis moved up to third place while Vincent Leduc gradually pulled away from Jean-François Mourgues in the battle for the Gentlemen’s title after Éric Royère went off on SS12.

On Sunday, Ludovic Godard controlled the proceedings with two more best times in the three final stages to seal his first victory in the Alpine Elf Rally Trophy, 1:20.8s ahead of Grégory Fontalba. However, the waning kilometres of the year provided a final twist as Loïc Panagiotis conceded more than three minutes due to a puncture in Notre-Dame des Anges. At the end of the 35.44 km stage, Vincent Leduc took the opportunity to move up to third place on the podium.

Meanwhile, Alpine completed its clean sheet with a ninth victory in as many rounds of the French Two-Wheel Drive Rally Championship with the success of Cédric Robert, third overall at the finish. He was joined by Ludovic Godard and Grégory Fontalba in the overall top seven to form the eighth all-Alpine A110 Rally podium on the national scene this season.

Ludovic Godard: “I am really happy to get my first win, which is a real boost for the whole team to wrap up the trophy. I would have liked it to be a bit sooner, but it was worth the wait with a great rally this weekend. We managed our pace well without slowing things down too much, and we finished with a strong lead. We had to stay focused while attacking. There were some difficult moments, like on Sunday when we started with four hard tyres. I had to recalibrate myself, and then I had a few scares while pushing and trying to avoid punctures. Thomas did an excellent job. He’s a professional, and you could see and feel that. Now I’ve got one more rally in a fortnight to enjoy the Alpine one last time this year!”

At the end of the season finale, Pierre Roché officially succeeded Julien Saunier and Grégory Fontalba in the Alpine Elf Rally Trophy and completed the double with the Challengers title. Vincent Leduc takes over from Fabrice Bect in the Gentlemen category. The main contenders of this campaign, which saw a record number of 21 crews challenge for the trophy, will be rewarded at an awards ceremony in early 2024. Edition four of the Alpine Elf Rally Trophy will kick off on the roads of the Rallye Rhône Charbonnières from 18 to 20 April 2024.

Vincent Leduc: “I’m delighted to win the Gentlemen’s title. It’s the culmination of a full season in which we excelled despite our relative unfamiliarity with the French Rally Championship compared to our rivals. I’m even more delighted because this Rallye du Var was very tricky, so it’s a real bonus to finish on the third step of the overall podium.”

Classification

1. Ludovic Godard – Thomas Chauffray 2h26:36.2s
2. Grégory Fontalba – Marine Lacruz +1:20.8s
3. Vincent Leduc – Caroline Puel +3:47.2s
4. Jean-François Mourgues – Michel Roissard +4:13.0s
5. Loïc Panagiotis – Caroline Goddi +5:36.0s

Ret. Éric Royère – Yaelle Fleury
Ret. Pierre Roché – Martine Roché

General classification

1. Pierre Roché 80 points
2. Ludovic Godard 62 points
3. Vincent Leduc 62 points
4. Jean-François Mourgues 57 points
5. Grégory Fontalba 35 points
6. Jérémy Crétien 30 points
7. Fabrice Bect 29 points
8. Éric Royère 19 points
9. Éric Giannini 18 points
10. Loïc Panagiotis 16 points
11. Armand Fumal 10 points
12. Jean-Luc Roché 8 points
13. Bertrand Fassio 8 points
14. David Ferraro 6 points
15. Romain Haut-Labourdette 4 points
16. Cyrille Traglia 4 points
17. Philippe Baffoun 3 points
18. Élodie Gines 1 point
19. Romuald Lamboley, Alain Marechau & Frédéric Perriat 0 point

TAGGED:Alpine A110 RallyAlpine Elf Rally TrophyLudovic GodardRallye Cœur de FranceSainte-Maxime

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Stay Updated! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn VKontakte Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Share
ByItumeleng Garebatshabe
Editor
Follow:
Itumeleng is the Managing Editor of The Auto Magazine. He is a tech and car enthusiast

Follow US

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
TelegramFollow
Google NewsFollow
LinkedInFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You Might Also Like

Motosport

2024 Alpine Elf Rally Trophy in the starting blocks

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
April 15, 2024
Motosport

Astier and Fontalba star in Antibes

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
May 20, 2025
Motosport

Roché and Fontalba lead the way at Rallye Rhône-Charbonnières

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
April 28, 2025

The Auto Magazine

  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Bikes
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Auto Shows
  • Latest News
  • Motosport

Made by Intellegere Media. All rights reserved. 2023

Don't not sell my personal information
Join Us!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner