JWRC: Rautenbach takes first podium.

by Geoff Mayes

Renault Clio driver, Conrad Rautenbach proved that he is a force to be reckoned with by taking a brilliant podium position in the Junior WRC on the Rallye de France-Tour de Corse at the weekend.

After finishing sixth on the previous round in Spain two weeks ago, Rautenbach and his new navigator, David Senior, headed to France keen to build on that solid result. The pair struggled a bit on day one, as Rautenbach adapted to a new style of pacenotes, and ended the day down in ninth position.

However, with the pair settled into their new routine they began their attack on Saturday morning. Seventh quickest on the first stage, followed by a blistering fourth fastest time on SS6 was good enough to elevate Rautenbach up the leader board. Stages 7 and 8 were repeats of the morning loop, and with some fine tuning in service the pair attacked again. They went 9 seconds quicker than their first run through Plage du Liamone, giving them the third fastest time. This, coupled with some notable retirements such as the demise of Kris Meeke, had elevated the Clio into a potential third overall. Despite a minor 'off' in stage 8 Rautenbach ended day two third overall.

A slow start to the final day saw Rautenbach's cushion cut down as Julien Pressac mounted a serious challenge. Despite some sterling times from Pressac over the final four stages, Rautenbach soaked up the pressure though and brought his Clio home unscathed to take his first podium in the JWRC. This result means he now lies six points adrift of championship leader Urmo Aava.

Speaking after the rally he was obviously pleased with the result, and attributed it to a combination of factors. "After Spain, David [Senior - my co-driver] suggested some changes to our pacenote system which we put into practice this weekend," he revealed. "After some initial adjusting I settled in well and we were really able to push. The stages really suited the car, and I am very happy with the result."

Rautenbach will now return to the UK to begin preparing for his British Rally Championship debut, which begins with the Pirelli International Rally in May. The Zimbabwean will use the non-championship Manx National Rally, on the Isle of Man in early May, as an extended test.

His next Junior WRC outing meanwhile will be the Rally Sardinia. This means that he has a very busy month ahead of him, especially as he is also planning to contest his home round of the African Rally Championship, the Zimbabwe Challenge Rally, which takes place in May too!

Pictures courtesy of: Paul Bentley.