“The 2013 Rally France-Alsace was successful beyond our wildest dreams. First of all, the event had an enormous popular impact. A huge crowd again turned up at all the stages to see the spectacle. And those who were unable to make the trip, took full advantage of the remarkable coverage provided by the CANAL+ Group channels. “Then the race was exceptional from a sporting point of view with never-ending suspense and multiple leadership changes. Finally, victory went to Sébastien OGIER to add lustre to his world title clinched on Thursday evening. I’d like to congratulate the new World Rally Champion, the third Frenchman to be crowned, on his talent and determination. Today, OGIER took over the succession of Sébastien Loeb who has left an indelible mark on the history of rallying, given our country marvellous hours of glory and an exemplary image throughout the world. I’m delighted that Sébastien is continuing with us to contribute to the future of our best young French hopes. Sébastien CHARDONNET’s world title in WRC3 this weekend will certainly make the new captain of the FFSA Rally Team, a role he has chosen to take on, a very happy man. “Finally, the Rally France-Alsace again went off perfectly. For us this is the best possible trophy as it rewards the work and the motivation of all those involved in the event: the Alsatian territorial authorities who gave us an excellent welcome in the best possible conditions, the Race Direction teams who did an exceptional job running the event, and the huge crowd of volunteers who looked after everybody’s safety and comfort. Thanks to all these people we reached a peak of satisfaction.” Nicolas DESCHAUX President of the French Motor Sports Federation Top 3 in the overall classification Victory went to Sébastien OGIER (Volkswagen Motorsport) with 12.2 seconds in hand over Dani SORDO (Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team) closely followed by Jari-Matti LATVALA(Volkswagen Motorsport), who finished 19.5 seconds behind the winner. Of the teams in the top 3 on the podium, Volkswagen Motorsport and Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team are still battling for the manufacturers’ title. Right up till the end the outcome remained uncertain as three drivers, Jari-Matti LATVALA, Dani SORDO and Sébastien OGIER, fought for first place. Thus, the closing stages of the rally were full of suspense providing an unforgettable climax for all the spectators present at Rally France-Alsace and the TV viewers watching on SPORT+ and CANAL+SPORT. *Subject to the publication of the results by the FIA LATVALA finished in the top 3 without winning a stage, SORDO had a big smile on his face and Ogier killed two birds with one stone, clinching the World Rally Championship Drivers’ title* and victory in the 2013 Rally France-Alsace. Shortly after the start of the 15th stage Sébastien LOEB and Daniel ELENA (Abu Dhabi Citroën Total World Rally Team) went off putting a premature end to their WRC career before they had covered stage 17 in Haguenau, the home town of the champion from Alsace. In WRC3, Sébastien CHARDONNET, a member of the FFSA French Rally Team, won the world title! GT2i amateur trophies Thanks to the special facilities put in place by the French Motor Sports Federation – reduced entry fees and a privileged welcome – regional and international entrants were able to take part in Rally France-Alsace in the best possible conditions. This afternoon the first three regional amateur crews and the first three national amateur crews in the overall general classification were awarded the GT2i Trophies. The winners were delighted with the vouchers especially as help is crucial when you have a limited budget. (1st : 1 100€, 2nd : 900 €, 3rd : 700 €) Regional amateur trophies 1st prize : Quentin GIORDANO - Guillaume DUVAL 2nd prize : Thierry COLNEY – Patrick FORTMANN 3rd prize : Olivier COURTOIS – Kevin BRONNER National amateur trophies 1st prize : Lionel BAUD – Alex CHIOSO 2nd prize : Quentin GIORDANO - Guillaume DUVAL 3rd prize : Xavier LEMONNIER – Marie-Laure LEMONNIER International amateur trophy 1st prize: Philip CRACCO – Martijn WYDAEGHE WRC2 podium Winner : Robert KUBICA – Maciek BARAN WRC3 podium Winner : Quentin GILBERT – Isabelle GALMICHE A look back at the day’s events Haguenau paid a rousing homage to its champion, Sébastien LOEB, on what was his last outing in the WRC as soon as the 9-time World Rally Champion arrived to greet his fans. The numerous shows put on by the town delighted the spectators who partied late into the night. The passage control on Oberhoffen-sur-moder was also very popular. At 15h11 the moment when Sébastien OGIER took the chequered flag in the 2013 Rally France-Alsace, the little Hot Wheels cars in the Exhibitors’ and Car Manufacturers’ Village won the challenge to cover 312 km in four days. The finishing ceremony In the late afternoon after the burlesque show put on by the American Babylon troupe and the Europa Park family spectacle, the crews still running at the finish of the 4th leg of the 2013 Rally France-Alsace 2013 followed one another on the podium in the Strasbourg Zénith in the presence of Laura STRUBEL, Miss Alsace 2013. The first three crews in the overall classification Jari-Matti LATVALA/ Mikka ANTTILA (3rd), Dani SORDO/Carlos DEL BARRIO (2nd), Sébastien OGIER/Julien INGRASSIA (1st) were given a warm welcome by the 10 000 spectators in the Zénith as they were congratulated by Claude STURNI, deputy Mayor of Haguenau and Guy-Dominique KENNEL, General Council President of the Bas-Rhin; Claude FROEHLY, Vice president of the Strasbourg urban community and Éric SCHWEITZER, assistant to the mayor and sports delegate in Mulhouse; Philippe RICHERT, President of the Alsatian and Roland RIES, Mayor of Strasbourg. The prefect of the region, Stéphane BOUILLON awarded the prize for the winning team to Volkswagen Motorsport. Homage to Sébastien LOEB and Daniel ELENA, an emotional moment The public were in a state of great excitement in what was a very emotional moment with the surprise reserved for Sébastien LOEB and Daniel ELENA to celebrate the exceptional career of these two champions. Some people, and the duo’s closest friends, let in on the secret, talked about them and shared their memories: Frédéric BANZET, Citroën General Manager et Nicolas DESCHAUX, President of the French Motor Sports Federation; Yves Matton, Citroën Racing team manager, friend and tough competitor Jean-François BERENGUER; their mentors Guy FREQUELIN, former Citroën Sport boss, and Dominique HEINTZ who helped the Alsatian on his debut and has always been a faithful friend, and of course, their wives Séverine LOEB and Céline ELENA. A very emotional Sébastien LOEB and Daniel ELENA said a few words at the end of the party that brought the 2013 Rally France-Alsace to a close.