Sunday is characterized by the departure at 8 am. The crews reach Privas at 9.15 am and then head towards the first test of the day, the SR5 Lyas – Pourchères of 20.398 km where we record the holding of the lead in the general classification by Michel Decremer, standard bearer of the Scuderia Promotor, in 3rd place overall Giorgio Schon with Francesco Giammarino, 5th Aiolfi Maurizio with Carlo Merenda, Bruno Saby, not used to such high and low average temperatures, is in 20th position; 29th Fabio Loperfido and 35th place for the Dakarian crew Riccardo Garosci and Rudy Briani. Last year’s winners, Claudio and Cristina, are found in 37th position. A quick stop in the traditional Remise, where the Jouanny family welcomes the competitors with the inevitable slice of apple pie and ready to leave for the 28.245 km Burzet, Freyssenet – Saint-Martial test. Michel continues to be at the top and Giorgio Schon moves up one position, separating himself from Decremer by 11 seconds. Maurizio Aiolfi drops two positions from fifth. Loperfido with Calosi who were 29th after today’s first test, drop 5 positions, the same as our crew made up of Riccardo Garosci and Rudy Briani.
An hourly check at the Place du Marché in Saint-Agrève, before tackling the 27.193km Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid. Last year it was canceled due to adverse weather conditions of ice and snow, this year the competitors face it in significantly different conditions: the high temperatures recorded (10°C) make it a simple test bordering on boring for the low averages imposed by the organization. The first two crews are confirmed as at the top of the ranking, even if Michel leads the crew of Giorgio and Francesco by another 2 seconds.
Finally, the last test SR8 Lalouvesc – Labatie-d’Andaure of 24.025 km marks the end of this cool but sunny day along the entire route which does not upset the overall ranking except for the Garosci – Briani crew who had excellent performances throughout the day but which here causes him to lose 15 positions. A last traditional CO in Tournon-sur-Rhône to head back to Valance.
Everyone would have expected, in today’s wonderful tests, especially on the Burzet and the Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid, two of the symbolic tests of Monte Carlo, more severe weather conditions; the roads were completely dry even in the shaded sections with temperatures of 10°C… anomalous in this period.
The forecast gives no news of imminent disturbances, so we expect a splendid sunny day for tomorrow too.
Also tomorrow we will wake up at 5am to cover the tests they will face 2 hours before all the crews. See you tomorrow evening for updates on the day!
Cristina Biagi x Promotor Classic Magazine
Photo Credits: Renè Official Photographer