Neuville and Al-Attiyah take on the challenge in Alsace

Continuing their season of new experiences, Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Citron Junior World Rally Team) and Nasser Al-Attiyah/Giovanni Bernacchini (Qatar World Rally Team) will be competing at the Rallye de France-Alsace in their Citron DS3 WRCs.

Faced with an extremely talented field and an itinerary renowned for being difficult, the two crews will be aiming to secure a top 10 finish.Since it first appeared on the WRC calendar in 2010, the Rallye de France-Alsace has gone on to become one of the championship's unmissable events. Based in Strasbourg, the French round of the WRC attracts several hundred thousand fans, most of whom are there to support the local hero, Sbastien Loeb! In a region with longstanding ties  with the PSA groupwhich produces DS5s at its Sochaux plantCitron is also extremely popular with the local crowds.

In addition to the stages that have now achieved legendary status such as Pays dOrmont, Valle de Munster or Vignoble de Cleebourg, the route of the 2012 Rallye de France also features a few new tests, such as the Soultzeren/Pays Welche or Pays de la Haute Bruche stages. The roads in Alsace and the Vosges are very quick and often slippery, providing the crews with genuinely challenging conditions.

Competing in the no.8 DS3 WRC, Thierry Neuville has already enjoyed some success at this event. In 2010, the Belgian claimed a podium finish in the JWRC in his C2 Super 1600. After his flawless performance in Wales, the Citron Junior World Rally Team driver hopes to match his result in the Wales Rally GB here in France. You have to look at this season as a whole, with a series of steps to be taken to make progress, he explained.

In Wales, the team told me not to worry about times and to try and complete the rally without making the slightest mistake. I know that I wasnt always on the pace of the leaders, but I still set some good times on the stages where I felt the most at ease. In France, my aim will be to do the same thing but do a little better. Id be pleased if I could get close to the level of performance I enjoyed at the Rallye Deutschland, without overstepping the limits.

Although Nasser Al-Attiyah has also competed once before in Alsacelast yearthe Qatari doesn't have such fondmemories of the event. I lost a lot of time on SS1, after going off into a ditch. We ended up retiring soon afterwardsdue to a mechanical problem, so I cant say I know this rally particularly well, explained Nasser. I expect the rally tobe complicated, much the same as the Rallye Deutschland. Its very difficult for me to find the right pace on the first fewstages. With the advice of the team, I know that gradually I can make progress. Ill have the same aim as ever inFrance: I want to gradually gather momentum whilst covering as many miles as possible.

Currently eighth and eleventh in the Drivers World Championship standings, Thierry and Nasser would love toimprove their points tally with three rounds remaining this season. Both of their respective teams are in contention forfourth place in the Manufacturers' standings.

Citron Racing Technologies will be entering additional Citron DS3 WRC for Sbastien Chardonnet/Thibaut de laHaye. After beginning the season in a DS3 R3, the FFSA French teams crew will be aiming to showcase their talents atthe highest level in world rallying.


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