THE ALPINE ELF RALLY TROPHY KICKS OFF AT THE RALLYE RHÔNE-CHARBONNIÈRES

Since 2021, the Alpine ELF Rally Trophy has demonstrated the brand's unwavering commitment to a discipline in which it won the first world title in 1973. In addition to building on its growing success, the competition provides an ideal setting for crews to showcase their talent on some of France's most spectacular special stages.

A TITANIC ALPINE A110 RALLYE GT+ DUEL

This week, the race to succeed Julien Saunier, Grégory Fontalba and Pierre Roché opens on the Rallye Rhône-Charbonnières' famously technical stages.

This season marks the arrival of the Alpine A110 Rallye GT+ in the Alpine ELF Rally Trophy, and the new model will be worth watching closely, especially as the defending champion will be competing in the GT+ category.

Pierre Roché begins the defence of his crown in a rally he knows well, having won last year in the A110 Rally. After discovering his new car at the Rallye du Var, the Team FJ leader has high ambitions, although the competition promises to be fierce.

His main rival could well be Raphaël Astier. 2016 French Rally Cup winner, 2018 and 2022 FIA R-GT Cup winner and 2023 French Two-Wheel Drive Rally Champion, the driving force behind Alpine's Pikes Peak adventure seeks to add to his collection of titles. The CHL Sport Auto driver will have only one goal: to dictate the pace over the six rounds of the calendar and claim another championship in blue!

ALPINE A110 RALLYS TO WATCH

With the A110 Rally, competitors in the R-GT class promise to deliver a thrilling battle as they seek to rival their GT+ counterparts. That will be particularly true for Grégory Fontalba, who targets another crown after his 2022 title and Gentlemen crown in 2024.

However, the driver with the VIP Enjolras team will face a familiar adversary in Fabrice Bect (Team FJ). The 2022 Gentlemen champion is keen to show that he has lost none of his speed after an injury hampering his 2024 campaign.

Swiss driver Mireille Vidueira (Team Bonneton HDG), the 2023 French Women's Rally Champion is another to keep an eye on as she makes her Alpine ELF Rally Trophy debut in a rally where she has two class victories from two starts.

The list of contenders is set to grow, already featuring five drivers who have won rally titles. Other drivers will launch their campaigns later in the year. Among them are Florian Bernardi, already a brand cup winner, Frédéric Perriat, who won a stage last year, and many others.

CONTESTS AT EVERY LEVEL

The calendar will strongly echo Alpine's rich rallying history. After kicking off at the Rallye Rhône-Charbonnières, the crews will head to the Rallye Antibes Côte d'Azur before taking on a new challenge at the Rallye Vosges Grand-Est. After the summer break, the season will resume with the Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine, followed by the Rallye Cœur de France and the season finale at the Rallye du Var.

The organisers will provide technical support to the entire service park to ensure fairness between all trophy participants. A spare parts store will also be present at each round. Beyond the stopwatch, competitors will share €7,500 in prizes and Michelin tyres at each event. At year's end, the GT+ category winner will receive €15,000, while their R-GT counterpart will receive €10,000.

Lastly, the Alpine ELF Rally Trophy competitors will continue to benefit from automatic entry into the FFSA French Two-Wheel Drive Rally Championship, hoping to join the list of winners that includes Manu Guigou (2020), Cédric Robert (2022, 2024) and Raphaël Astier (2023).

Entry list

#6 Raphaël Astier – Denis Giraudet (GT+)

#28 Pierre Roché – Martine Roché (GT+)

#36 Grégory Fontalba – Stephan Hermet (R-GT)

#37 Fabrice Bect – Arnaud Michal (R-GT)

#38 Mireille Vidueira – Jeanne Rey (R-GT)

2025 Calendar

24-26 April: Rallye Rhône-Charbonnières

16-18 May: Rallye Antibes Côte d’Azur

13-15 June: Rallye Vosges Grand-Est

4-6 September: Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine

26-28 September: Rallye Cœur de France

27-29 November: Rallye du Var