Since it was first launched, the Citroen Racing Trophy has been contested in around ten European countries spanning the continent, including the likes of the Czech Republic, Portugal, Italy and Belgium. There has been great enthusiasm among competitors at each event, with some impressive performances. Citroens promotional formula is set to change in 2013 and will feature two versions: the Citroen Racing Trophy Junior with the DS3 R1 and the Citroen Racing Trophy with the DS3 R3. Five countries have signed up for this twin competition, with a view to showcasing Citroens talented young driver identification programme.
The Citroen Racing Trophy has been a clear success. In addition to the huge numbers of competitors in France and Europe, the intense competition and high performance levels of those taking part, the series can also serve as a springboard for all the competing drivers. 2012 was a very good year, as the DS3 R3s amassed a large collection of wins throughout the season. For example, Christian Riedemann won the two-wheel drive category and was runner-up in the German rally championship, while Simone Campedelli and Ivo Nogueira won the same category in the Italian and Portuguese championships.
Keith Cronin won the UK championship, also in a DS3 R3 and secured the Manufacturers title for Citroen whilst Jan Cerny won the FIA 2WD European championship and Harry Hunt was 2WD champion in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge. A host of titles that the winners will be hoping to retain this year. The Trophy will be held in eight European countries in 2013 with the DS3 R3, five of which will also run the DS3 R1 in the Junior Trophy. Various prizes will be on offer, including prize money but also potential racing programmes for the youngest drivers.
We are really pleased to be able maintain our operations outside of France, commented Marek Nawarecki, Customer Racing Manager for Citroen Racing. The race wins and titles acquired over the years prove that our cars are reliable and quick. The drivers have a good car that enables them to be in contention to win rallies, regardless of the surface or the conditions. 2013 looks set to be even more exciting with the twin competition that has been put in place.
2012 CITROEN RACING TROPHY WINNERSBELGIUM Caren BurtonFRANCE Quentin GilbertITALY Andrea CrugnolaPOLAND Jan ChmielewskiPORTUGAL Ivo NogueiraCZECH REPUBLIC Jan CernyUNITED KINGDOM Keith CroninSWITZERLAND Mike Coppens
2013 CALENDARSGERMANYCITROEN RACING TROPHY JUNIOR - DS3 R128.02.- 02.03.2013 ADAC Pfalz-Westrich-Rallye21.03.- 23.03.2013 ADAC Wikinger-Rallye12.04.- 13.04.2013 ADAC Hessen-Rallye02.05.- 04.05.2013 AvD Sachsen-Rallye15.08.- 18.08.2013 ADAC Rallye Deutschland20.09.- 21.09.2013 ADAC Saarland-Rallye
BELGIUMCITROEN RACING TROPHY JUNIOR - DS3 R1CITROEN RACING TROPHY - DS3 R328.02.- 02.03.2013 ADAC Pfalz-Westrich-Rallye28.04.- 29.04.2013 Rallye de WALLONIE27.06.- 29.06.2013 24 H YPRES19.07.- 20.07.2013 Rallye du LUXEMBOURG or rallye OMLOOP (tbc)27.09.- 28.09.2013 EAST BELGIAN RALLY08.11.- 10.11.2013 Rallye du CONDROZ (tbc)
FRANCECITROEN RACING TROPHY JUNIOR - DS3 R119-20.04.2013 Rallye Lyon Charbonnires17-18.05.2013 Rallye Rgion Limousin13-14.07.2013 Rallye du Rouergue05-06.09.2013 Rallye Mont-Blanc Morzine12-13.10.2013 Rallye dAntibes22-24.11.2013 Rallye du VarCITROEN RACING TROPHY - DS3 R319-20.04.2013 Rallye Lyon Charbonnires17-18.05.2013 Rallye Rgion Limousin29-30.06.2013 Rallye Terre de Langres27-28.07.2013 Rallye Terre dAuxerre31.0801.09.2013 Rallye Terre de Lozre Sud de France22-24.11.2013 Rallye du Var
ITALYCITROEN RACING TROPHY - DS3 R3Calendar to be confirmed later
POLANDCITROEN RACING TROPHY JUNIOR - DS3 R112-14.04.2013 Rajd Świdnicki23-25.05.2013 Rajd Wisły05-07.07.2013 Rajd Karkonoski08-10.08.2013 Rajd Rzeszowski17-19.10.2013 Rajd DolnośląskiCITROEN RACING TROPHY - DS3 R312-14.04.2013 Rajd Świdnicki23-25.05.2013 Rajd Wisły05-07.07.2013 Rajd Karkonoski08-10.08.2013 Rajd Rzeszowski27-29.09.2013 Rajd Polski17-19.10.2013 Rajd Dolnośląski
CZECH REPUBLICCITROEN RACING TROPHY - DS3 R319-24.04.2013 Rallye umava Klatovy24-25.05.2013 Rallye Česk Krumlov21-22.06.2013 Rally Hustopeče12-13.07.2013 Bohemia Rally30.0801.09.2013 Barum Czech rally Zlin04-05.10.2013 Rally Přbram
SWITZERLANDCITROEN RACING TROPHY JUNIOR - DS3 R1CITROEN RACING TROPHY - DS3 R303-04.05.2013 Critrium Jurassien31.0501.06.2013 Rallye du Chablais21-22.06.2013 Rallye du Tessin20-21.09.2013 Rallye de Suran (F)24-26.10.2013 Rallye du Valais
UNITED KINGDOMCITROEN RACING TROPHY - DS3 R306-07.04.2013 Bulldog Rally04-05.05.2013 Pirelli Rally31.0501.06.2013 Jim Clark Rally29-30.06.2013 Scottish Rally23-24.08.2013 Ulster Rally28-29.09.2013 Trackrod Rally19-20.10.2013 Sunseeker Rally
