R-GT Coupe du Monde leader Pierre Ragues heads to the fourth and penultimate round of the 2021 season, Rally Nova Gorica, aiming another strong performance in the Michelin-equipped Alpine A110 Rally
The French ace won the R-GT categories of Rally di Roma Capitale in July and was also successful in the recent Ypres Rally Belgium, part of the recent World Rally Championship weekend at the iconic event. The results have allowed Pierre to build up a 19-point lead in the R-GT classification with two rounds of the season yet to run – starting in Slovenia next weekend.
Alongside co-driver Julien Pesenti, Pierre is aware that the competition will be tough on the next tarmac round – against very experienced crews – which will be his first participation in the 13-stage event.
The schedule gets underway in earnest on Friday with a compact run of seven stages – a repeated loop of Kromberk (4.65km), Lig (22.83km) and Morsko (10.30km), followed by the short 3.02km Nova Gorica test.
The rally continues Saturday with three stages – Banišice (10.62km), Ravnica (4.80km) and Renče (17.15km) – each run twice. The penultimate round of the season is set to offer Pierre another opportunity to showcase his rally credentials against some of the best in the field.
Pierre said: “It doesn’t feel that long since we were celebrating victory at Ypres but already we turn our attention to the next round of the R-GT Coupe du Monde. Rally Nova Gorica is a new event for me, like others this season, so there will be an element of learning required as we take to the stages. Alongside the expertise of Julien, I have been able to get quickly up to speed in recent events, so I hope that will be the case again. Having taken two wins in a row, it might be easy to get carried away, but I am fully focused on the forthcoming rally, and not taking anything for granted. The competition in this championship is incredible, and we know it will be a hard fight to the finish. As always, I am very thankful to my partners – Racing Services, Michelin, YACCO, First, Alpine MSA Deauville and Sparco – for the faith they continue to show in me.”
Event Itinerary
SS1 Kromberk 1 4.65km
SS2 Lig 1 22.83km
SS3 Morsko 1 10.30km
SS4 Kromberk 2 4.65km
SS5 Lig 2 22.83km
SS6 Morsko 2 10.30km
SS7 Nova Gorica 3.02km
SS8 Banišice 1 10.62km
SS9 Ravnica 1 4.80km
SS10 Renče 1 17.15km
SS11 Banišice 2 10.62km
SS12 Ravnica 2 4.80km
SS13 Renče 2 17.15km
Event total 143.72 km
Coupe du Monde – Classification after three rounds
- Pierre Ragues, 62 points
- Manu Guigou, 43 points
- Philippe Baffoun, 37 points
