The Minister of Sports visited the Rally Nerve Centre in the Zénith in Strasbourg, and then followed the race at the roadside of the morning’s stages.
A big crowd again attended the stages, especially in the Haguenau town centre for the Power Stage and on the square of the European Parliament in Strasbourg for the finish.
“I’d like to congratulate Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia for their performance in the second Rally France-Alsace. The results of this event promise a very exciting finish to the championship, which can only be good for the values our sport embodies,” said Nicholas Deschaux, the President of the French Motor Sports Federation.
“It’s too soon to be able to draw conclusions concerning the 2011 Rally France-Alsace organization, and we’ll have to meet with the different parties involved in the weeks to come. However, the first echoes we’ve received underline the progress we’ve made this year.
“Once again the event’s been a big popular success and the Alsatians showed real interest and a great sporting spirit despite the absence of their favourite driver, Sébastien Loeb.”
The 2011 Rally France-Alsace has been a good one for the French Motor Sports Federation thanks to Sébastien Ogier’s victory as he is a former winner of the FFSA Rallye Jeunes operation. There is just a week to go before the first competition for the 2011 talent-spotting contest organized in partnership with Citroën, begins (www.rallyejeunes.com).
Another reason for satisfaction is Pierre Campana’s excellent result as he is a member of Equipe de France Rallye Jeunes. He finished in the top ten scoring his first point in the World Championship.
“Pierre Campana’s excellent performance this weekend in the context of his Equipe de France programme is another source of satisfaction for the Federation. At the wheel of his Mini John Coper Works entered by Prodrive, Pierre achieved the feat of finishing in the first ten, particularly after setting some great times on Saturday. On his second outing in an event at this level he scored two points in the world championship, and above all he was able to match the pace of some of the best in certain stages,” added Nicolas Deschaux.