The entry list of the Rallye International du Valais boasts 106 competitors

RSL Staff

– October 25, 2012Posted in: ERC, News

With the beautiful landscapes of Valais as a backdrop, 106 Swiss and foreign crews will take the start of the 53rd Rallye International du Valais – from 25-27 October – on Thursday in Sion to try and overcome the various difficulties of its challenging and spectacular route. At the end of the 655-kilometre carefully designed itinerary, of which 293 kilometres against the clock spread over 16 special stages at altitudes from 400 to 2250 metres, the winners will be rewarded with the traditional celebrations in Martigny on Saturday evening.

Not only is the most important event in motorsport in Switzerland the grand finale of the Swiss Rally Championship. It is also the last round of the FIA European Rally Championship. However, it remains above all a huge gathering for tens of thousands of motorsport fans who have the opportunity to follow the feat of the stars of the sport live in a unique setting.

Pulse promises to be set to racing as the fact that the two major championships are already decided will not affect the suspense, quite on the contrary. Without the pressure of having to score points, the main contenders will be free and all too happy to pit against each other and fight for the honours. Some 15 cars of the S2000 category will take the start with the aim of winning the event. Amongst the Swiss favourites are Nicolas Althaus, recently crowned 2012 Swiss Champion, Laurent Reuche, winner of the 2011 edition of the RIV and 2011 Swiss Champion, Florian Gonon, 2009 Swiss Champion, and Michaël Burri, who has learned his trade in various rounds of the World Rally Championship this year with his Peugeot 207. As far as the foreigners are concerned, eight-time Belgian Champion Pieter Tsjoen holds the upper hand. He will be at the wheel of the new Citroën DS3 RRC (Regional Rally Car), which will make its World Premiere debut in Valais.

When the 2012 Rallye International du Valais will draw to a close, the first Swiss Rally Junior Champion in the history of the national sport will be known. Thomas Joris, from Martigny-Croix, will play in front of his home crowds to defend his current leadership and will have to repel the assaults of the three crews that can still challenge his supremacy, namely Fabien Richard (Vaud), Mathias Rossetti (Neuchatel) and Simon Rossel (Vaud). The Rallye International du Valais also counts towards the Citroën Racing Trophy, the Renault Twingo R1 Trophy and the Ford Racing Trophy. The rally will get underway at 14:15 on Thursday at the Espace Roger Bonvin, close to the Casernes de Sion, a well-known assembly point for the fans. The podium ceremony will take place at around 17:00 on Saturday at the CERM of Martigny, where will also take place the traditional rally party afterwards.