Already with four victories and three other podiums in seven starts, Raphaël Astier had the opportunity to win the French Two-Wheel Drive Rally Championship from the penultimate meeting of the calendar at the Critérium des Cévennes.

Co-driven by Valentin Suchet, the Ardéchois immediately took the lead in his category. Displaying an impressive pace against the best Rally2s on the national scene, the CHL Sport Auto team driver avoided the pitfalls of the course to build a solid lead over his pursuers during the first stage. Raphaël Astier took another step towards the crown when Styve Juif, his closest pursuer in the race for the title, was forced to retire in SS12. With his destiny in his hands, the hero of Pikes Peak controlled his tempo in the final kilometers to seal his second scratch podium of the season as well as his fifth victory and consecration in two-wheel drive.

As Alpine celebrates 50 years of victory in the World Rally Championship this year, this new title adds to the long list of successes of the A110 Rally since the brand’s return to the discipline in 2020. Designed and developed by Signatech, it has won twenty-seven of the twenty-eight events it has competed in in the French Championship over the last four seasons. After Manu Guigou in 2020 and Cédric Robert in 2022, Raphaël Astier becomes the third titled driver with a model also counting two international titles in the FIA R-GT Cup with Pierre Ragues in 2021… And Raphaël Astier last year!

This triumph caps a successful campaign for Alpine, which has monopolized the two-wheel drive podium in seven of the eight rounds contested this year. The same success is found at the highest level, notably with the victory of Armand Fumal this weekend on the occasion of the Central European Rally in the FIA World Rally Championship. The brand founded by Jean Rédélé also lived up to its name by dominating its category with Sergio Pinto in the heart of the Alps at the Rallye International du Valais.

Raphaël Astier will celebrate his title by concluding his season at the Rallye du Var (November 24-26). The last stage of the calendar will also host the final of the third edition of the Alpine Elf Rallye Trophy.

Raphaël Astier

« After our coronation in the FIA R-GT Cup last year, I challenged myself to come to the French Rally Championship to dethrone the reference that is Cédric because of his knowledge of the events and the Alpine. It came to fruition this weekend as we hoped. The Critérium des Cévennes was demanding and true to its reputation. We didn’t have to finish ahead of Cédric, but we wanted to take advantage of this second scratch podium of the season. We made the right tire choices to optimize the car and gradually widen the gap before managing to seal the title. We had a fantastic car throughout the season, so I would like to thank the CHL Sport Auto team, but also all the co-drivers, ushers and partners who accompanied me this year. »