MOUTON, SABY AND NICOLAS SHARE T16 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS ; LEFEBVRE CLAIMS ERC JUNIOR TITLE

ERC / GIRU DI CORSICA - TOUR DE CORSE November 6-8, 2014

Stéphane Lefebvre and Thomas Dubois steered their Peugeot Rally Academy-liveried Peugeot 208 R2 to their second international title of the season, while Kevin Abbring and Sebastian Marshall concluded their 2014 campaign on a high note with third place in Corsica at the wheel of their Peugeot 208 T16. There were celebrations, too, for the 30th anniversary of T16 power with the presence of ex-drivers Michèle Mouton, Bruno Saby and Jean-Pierre Nicolas...

Junior 'double tops' for Stéphane Lefebvre and Thomas Dubois!

Prior to the start of the Tour de Corse, Stéphane Lefebvre knew that second place would suffice for him to seal the 2014 ERC Junior crown and the French youngster produced a tactically perfect run to win the championship. He won two stages in his 208 R2 but essentially based his pace on that of title challenger and the class's eventual winner in Corsica, Andrea Crugnola (208 R2). Victory in the ERC Junior series for Stéphane Lefebvre and Thomas Dubois wraps up what has been a perfect season for the Peugeot Rally Academy pair who notched up ERC Junior wins in the Açores, Ypres and Barum en route to their second international accolade after their earlier success in the WRC's Junior series! Their sights are now set on a possible third Junior trophy when they compete in the 208 Rally Cup at the Rallye du Var in two weeks' time!

An assertive run by Abbring and Marshall

Kevin Abbring was pleased with the performance of his Peugeot 208 T16 in Corsica where he flew the Peugeot Rally Academy's colours high and proud. Although he span on SS3, the Dutchman was especially apprehensive about the second day's twistier, more difficult stages but a fast pace enabled him to stay concentrated while he also worked on improving the set-up of his car. At the end of the event's 250 competitive kilometres, the Dutch crew combined a fine third place overall with victory in the R5 class, since ex-Peugeot drivers Sarrazin and Bouffier were both driving RRC cars.

Unfortunate Craig Breen shows competitive form!

Craig Breen and Scott Martin were side-lined by a differential problem on SS4 but were able to re-join the event on Day 2 under the so-called Rally2 ruling. The Irishman then suffered a puncture on SS7 and lost time on the following test when he came across wild animals on the stage! After their luck turned, they went on to post second and third fastest times at a moment when the battle for victory was at its fiercest.
The 208 T16's first European success secured by Craig in Greece will remain a highlight of the season.Privateer Peugeots shine on the Mediterranean island!

Eric Camilli (Peugeot 207 S2000) celebrated his first ERC appearance with an excellent fourth place, while Bruno Magalhães bounced back from his 'off' on SS1 of the Rallye du Valais to claim sixth spot in his Peugeot 208 T16. The Portuguese driver was pleased with the handling and reliability of his car. Last but by no means least, Andrea Crugnola won the Junior battle in Corsica in his Peugeot 208 R2 against Stéphane Lefebvre!

Driver quotes:
Stéphane Lefebvre: "It's fantastic to have won another international title! It's like I'm living a dream - I'm thrilled. Before the start of the season, the ERC Junior title was my objective and we succeeded in winning it thanks to everyone at the Peugeot Rally Academy!"

Kevin Abbring: "Given the competition of the RRC drivers, it's nice to have finished third. My car worked well and was efficient all weekend. A big thank you to the whole team for their great work throughout the season. I was pleased with the way Corsica went because it allowed us to end the year on a high note."

Craig Breen: "I'm disappointed not to have finished on the podium which was our objective here. Even so, I'm pleased with the speed we managed to show. I had some good stages and my 208 T16 improved as the event progressed. I would like to thank all the team at the Peugeot Rally Academy for what has been a rewarding season."
 

2014 Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse - final positions:
1, S. Sarrazin (Ford Fiesta RRC), 2h36m48.4s.
2, B. Bouffier (Ford Fiesta RRC), +18.9s.
3, Kevin Abbring/Sebastian Marshall (Peugeot 208 T16), +1m38.2s.
4, E. Camilli (Peugeot 207 S2000), +2m24.1s.
5. R. Dumas (Porsche 997 GT3), +5m41.9s.
6, B. Magalhães (Peugeot 208 T16), +6m29.9s.
7, J-M. Leandri (Ford Fiesta R5), +7m33.5.
8, J. Tarabus (Skoda Fabia S2000), +7m51.3s.
9, P-A. Gugliemi (Renault Clio R3), +10m19.0s.
10, L. Reuche (Renault Clio R3T), +13m21.0s. Etc.
 

2014 FIA ERC - final positions*:
1, Esapekka LAPPI (Skoda Fabia Super 2000), 162 points.
2, Sepp WIEGAND (Skoda Fabia Super 2000), 128 points.
3, CRAIG BREEN / SCOTT MARTIN (PEUGEOT 208 T16), 104 points.
4, Kajetan KAJETANOWICZ (Ford Fiesta R5), 100 points.
5, Vaclav PECH (Mini John Cooper Works Super 2000), 63 points.
5 (equal), KEVIN ABBRING / SEBASTIAN MARSHALL (PEUGEOT 208 T16), 63 points. Etc.

2014 FIA ERC JUNIOR - final positions*:
1, STEPHANE LEFEBVRE / THOMAS DUBOIS (PEUGEOT 208 R2), 140 points.
2, Andrea CRUGNOLA (PEUGEOT 208 R2), 118 points.
3, Jan CERNY (PEUGEOT 208 R2), 89 points.
4, Gino BUX (PEUGEOT 208 R2), 78 points.
5, Aleksander ZAWADA (PEUGEOT 208 R2), 73 points. Etc.