The present and the future with the C2-R2 MAX and the DS3 R3
This is what the future holds: a 210-horsepower 1.6-litre THP (High Pressure Turbo) engine that puts out 350 Nm of torque from 2000 rpm, a front drivetrain specifically developed for competition matched to a specially reinforced rear drivetrain, three-way adjustable dampers, and an integral roll cage equipped with the latest innovations to ensure maximum safety for the crew.

With the launch of the DS3 R3, Citroën Racing has unveiled a whole new generation of rally cars. The Citroën DS3 R3 will become the figurehead of the company’s customer competition arm from the end of the 2010 season, while the C2-R2 MAX – which has already been delivered to 350 owners – will also remain available. With this seductive line-up, Citroën Racing is able to offer a wide range of options to teams and drivers who want competitive and versatile cars that are strong on every surface.

Thanks to this latest new arrival, the Citroën Racing Trophy’s bright future is set to continue all over Europe!

BENELUX - YPRES AND EXOTIC GREEN
Hans Weijs Jr does it again
The Ypres Rally is the highlight of the Citroën Racing Trophy Benelux calendar, and it allowed Hans Weijs Jr to once more display his stranglehold over the competition. The Dutchman already won the first two rounds of the season this year and now claimed victory for a third time in Ypres, after leading from start to finish.

“This was only the first time that I had driven on the Ypres Rally and I had a lot of fun,” said the youngster at the finish. “We only made three passes during the recce, but I felt comfortable from the very beginning. These were very fast stages but they were great!”

Caren Burton was the only driver to come close to the dominant leader, but he could not consistently match Hans Weijs Jr’s pace and rolled during the first leg. That left second place to Irishman Martin McCormack, who is continuing his tour of Europe within the Citroën Racing Trophy. The podium was completed by Ronny Foxius from Luxembourg, who drove a sensible rally and deservedly reaped the rewards at the end.

The season continued last weekend in the Netherlands at the Exotic Green Rally. With Hans Weijs Jr away contesting the JWRC round in Bulgaria (where he finished second in class) the rally was characterised by a duel between Xavier Baugnet and Davis Croes. Baugnet got off to a good start, but then picked up a minute of road penalties at a time control. This allowed Croes to make a dash for victory.

Baugnet believed that he could fight back, but the cancellation of the final three special stages due to bad weather meant that he ran out of time…


FRANCE
The Citroën C2 is the star all over France
The Ronde Limousine revived the circular format that used to be popular in the past, and once more it allowed the C2 S1600 and the C2-R2 MAX to amply show off their abilities on the French Rally Championship. Marc Amourette finished the season’s third round in the top 10 overall with his Super 1600 in front of local hero Jean-Sébastien Vigion. Jean-Renaud Marchal took away some big points after winning the R2 class with his C2-R2 MAX, in front of Fabien Michal et Mickaël Reydellet.

Marc Amourette once more dominated at the Rallye du Rouergue, winning his class and finishing in the top five overall. Germain Bonnefis put in a stunning performance and stamped his authority over the R2 class in his C2-R2 MAX, only to retire on the final special stage. His misfortune benefited Guillaume Sirot, who drove a faultless rally. Julian Carret and Jean-Renaud Marchal completed the podium.

In the Coupe de France, former racing driver Sébastien Chardonnet continued his learning curve. Having won Group R on the Rallye Pila Canale last month, he triumphed again at the Rallye Ain-Jura, beating Joël Rappaz (who competes in the Swiss Citroën Racing Trophy) and Stéphane Ciaramitaro to ensure a monopoly of the Group N podium for Citroën.

Dominique Rebout triumphed on the Rallye de Lorraine, claiming first place in Group R. On roads that were familiar to him, the local man beat Antonin Mougin to the finish.

HUNGARY – SZOMBATHELY
Robert Butor edges towards the title
Both on asphalt and on gravel, the Citroën C2 Super 1600 and Robert Butor continue to rack up victories on the Hungarian Rally Championship. Coming off the back of three asphalt wins, Butor continued his impressive run on the all-gravel Szombathely Rally. The Citroën-Total Rallye Team is getting ever closer to another Hungarian title with the C2 Super 1600.
JWRC - BULGARIA
Neuville’s first win!
The C2 Super 1600 continues to star in the Junior World Rally Championship. Mathieu Arzeno led the first day of the Rally Bulgaria, based in Borovets, but then lost ground on Saturday morning. Thierry Neuville had at that point already taken the lead to head towards his very first victory in the World Rally Championship feeder category. With Hans Weijs Jr finishing second, it was a one-two for the C2 Super 1600 in the JWRC standings.

CZECH REPUBLIC AND POLAND
A Polish double in Bohemia
A few weeks after the Hustopece Rally – which was won by the young Czech Jan Cerny – the Czech Republic’s Rally Bohemia, located close to Mlada Boleslav, was dominated by Polish drivers. The Rally Bohemia counted for both the Czech and Polish Citroën Racing Trophy series, with 13 Citroën C2-R2 MAXs taking the start from the two countries. Michal Bebenek and Jan Chmielewski scored a one-two for Poland by beating Miroslav Brezik, who was the only Czech on the podium.

SWITZERLAND – TICINO
A duel down to the second
A hallmark of the Citroën Racing Trophy Switzerland is always stiff competition. On the Rally Ronde del Ticino, Joël Rappaz just beat Devis Cremona, by only 6.4 seconds. Antonio Galli was third but remained in the lead of the overall classification.

IRELAND – DONEGAL
Robert Barrable back in front
The Donegal Rally, which was marred by the tragic death of Shane Buckley’s co-driver Thomas Maguire, ended up with victory going to Robert Barrable ahead of Mark Donnelly and Desi Henry. Following his third win of the season, Barrable reclaimed the lead of the overall classification.

ROMANIA – CLUJ
Alexandru Filip does the double
Having previously won the Rallye Tirgu Mures, Alexandru Filip triumphed again in Cluj at the fourth round of the season. Against spirited opposition from Nistor Duval – who was finally forced to retire – Alexandru Filip won and increased his advantage in the Romanian Citroën Racing Trophy.

PORTUGAL – VILA VERDE
Nogueira’s debut win
Up-and-coming Portuguese driver Ivo Nogueira finally claimed his first Citroën Racing Trophy victory, following an off-road excursion and then a mechanical problem at the start of the season. He follows in the footsteps of Ricardo Marques and Frederico Gomes, who have also won this year. Gomes takes the lead of the overall classification in front of Marques and Armando Oliviera.

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