After the Rallycross last June, the ASA du Berry (and the Berrichonne team with it) will be in charge this Saturday and Sunday, November 9 and 10 for the second major automobile event in Indre, the rally of the same name, programmed around Valençay.
It is difficult to establish a hierarchy for final victory
Jean Blayon, linchpin of the Indre Rally
Around a hundred participants are expected with a quadruple ace which will aim for victory. In order of entry on stage: Jordan Berfa (Hyundai I20), title holder Marc Amourette (Citroën C3), Bruno Longépé (VW Polo) and Nicolas Hernandez (Skoda Fabia). Between experience, youth, speed and vehicle, everyone has assets to showcase. “The rally is quite open, comments Jean Blayon, rally kingpin and driver himself. It is difficult to establish a hierarchy for final victory. »
It's the same thing in all rally categories. There will be fast drivers and fighting at all levels. It's not the spectators who will complain about it. Let us cite, for example, Michel Morin, the local of the stage, back in business after a two-season break, or Raphaël Renard, both at the wheel of Mitsubishi in class A8. But also Quentin Trochu (Peugeot 207) or Geoffrey Chabrier (BMW 318 Compact) in F214, Frédéric Hubert (Mitsubishi) in R4, Théo Delesque (Opel Corsa), Nicolas Domene-Guérin (Peugeot 208) and Frédéric Roussel (Renault Clio 5) in R5. In short, so many drivers who can aim for the top 10.
The program and timetables of the Rallye de l’Indre
> Saturday November 9. Two loops of two special stages: Baudres (11.16 km) and Poulaines (9.57 km).
Exit from Valençay parc ferme: 2:30 p.m. SS1: 3:37 p.m.; SS2: 4:04 p.m.; return Valençay: 4:31 p.m. Assistance at Levroux: 5:58 p.m. SS3: 6:48 p.m.; SS4: 7:15 p.m. Return to parc ferme: 7:42 p.m.
> Sunday November 10. Three loops of two special stages: Bretagne-Bouges (12.15 km) and Aize-Buxeuil-Poulaines (14.88 km).
Exit from parc ferme: 9 a.m. SS5: 10:10 a.m.; SS6: 10:36 a.m.; SS7: 1:17 p.m.; SS8: 1:43 p.m.; SS9: 4:24 p.m.; SS10: 4:50 p.m. Return to Valençay: 5:21 p.m.
> Useful information: between each loop of two SS, the competitors will pass through the regrouping park in Valençay, then the service park in Levroux.
Notice to spectators of the Rallye de l'Indre, here are all the special stages of the 2024 edition.
© (Infographic NR)
Note that the Rally welcomes several Norman drivers, who have come to seek points (already) in order to aim for the 2025 final which will take place in Lisieux. Obviously, the Berrichonne stable, with around fifteen representatives, hopes to see its colors shine. She will be able to count in particular on the Lucas family, Christophe and Calvin, returning from the Nice final; on Julien Audegond, for whom this will be his first rally this year; on Hervé Langlois and obviously on Jean Blayon.
Remember that the Rallye de l'Indre counts towards the French championship of 2e 2024 division, where Jordan Berfa reigns as leader as well as for the Centre-Val de Loire Val de Loire League championship, already won by Patrice Léon, and for the final of the R1 challenge. Without forgetting the 2025 French Rally Cup.
Fog as an X factor?
Still, a last-minute unknown could confuse the issue. The word is well chosen, because it concerns the fogs which are currently raging in the sky of Indre. “Some pilots are more comfortable in these particular conditions, explains Jean Blayon. They may have very specific notes to trust or have materials, including rope lights, that can help them. The hierarchy can be changed. »
After the specificity of the roads in the south of Indre in 2023, hilly and winding, the drivers will this time compete on a classic course of the Center rallies, with narrow and overall fast roads, very fast even for Saturday specials. With, as a bonus, a loop planned at night. On Sunday, they will have to complete the Aize-Buxeuil-Poulaines special three times, the justice of the peace of the event. Enough to allow the best to make the decision.
Like here Denis Millet (VW Polo), winner in 2022 of the Rallye de l'Indre, competitors will be able to work on their car in the Levroux service park.
© (Photo archives NR)
ECHOES FROM THE RALLY
- 300 people. Between the road marshals, officials and volunteers involved in the rally, nearly 300 people ensure the organization of the rally.
- Entertainment in Levroux. Spectators will be able to admire the competitors' cars on the road, of course, but also in the Levroux service park, with a busy city center. Between the team structures, the refreshment bars, the rally product shops and a car exhibition, including the gendarmerie's Alpine, there will be plenty to keep you busy.
- Spectator areas. To get to the special stages, the organizers have marked access to the spectator areas, which are always free. Remember that strict safety instructions govern the organization of a rally. Green banners indicate authorized areas and conversely, red banners indicate prohibited areas.
- Communes crossed : Valençay, Levroux, Bouges, Aize, Baudres, Buxeuil, Brittany, Poulaines.
