Chazel Technologie Course monopolised the top step of the podiums at the Circuit Paul Armagnac in Nogaro with two overall and Junior victories with Lucas Frayssinet and Edwin Traynard, and another two in the Gentleman category with Philippe Bourgois. After round one of the season, Edwin Traynard leads the general classification, but the gaps are extremely close and the competition is already preparing its response for Magny-Cours!
With a record field of twenty-five entries, the Alpine Elf Europa Cup launched its fifth season in Nogaro with a mix of Alpine A110 Cup specialists and beginners from all horizons of the sport.
RACE 1: A FRAYSSINET DOUBLE, A CHAZEL TRIPLE
While Louis Méric (Race Cars Consulting) dominated the first free practice session, Lucas Frayssinet took over in session two before confirming his promising pace to claim the first pole position of the season. The Frenchman was followed by Paul Cauhaupé (Patrick Roger Autosport GP), Louis Méric, Simon Tirman (Autosport GP) and Edwin Traynard in a top-five monopolised by the Juniors.
The poleman kept the lead at the start, while Simon Tirman gained two positions, moving ahead of Louis Méric and Rodolphe Wallgren (Herrero Racing), who started sixth. Meanwhile, Paul Cauhaupé called it a day with a gearshift failure.
The leader extended his advantage from his pursuers, who were engaged in a constant battle. The running order changed under the impulse of Rodolphe Wallgren, who surprised Louis Méric on lap seven before setting his sights on Simon Tirman. Rodolphe Wallgren eventually moved into second place after an intense duel, but Lucas Frayssinet was now seven seconds down the road.
Lucas Frayssinet controlled his lead to seal his maiden victory in the Alpine Elf Europa Cup. Rodolphe Wallgren and Simon Tirman joined him on the overall podium, as did Simon Tirman and Louis Méric in the Juniors catgeory. Edwin Traynard completed the top five, ahead of Thibaut Bossy (Herrero Racing), Alexis Garcin (Herrero Racing) and Gosia Rdest (Chazel Technologie Course). Ninth at the chequered flag, Philippe Bourgois completed his team’s hat-trick as he dominated the Gentleman category ahead of Anthony Fournier (Race Cars Consulting) and Pierre Macchi (Patrick Roger Autosport GP).
RACE 2: TIRMAN STOPPED IN HIS TRACKS, TRAYNARD WINNER
Simon Tirman celebrated his 26th birthday by taking the pole position for race two by less than a tenth of a second ahead of Edwin Traynard, Louis Méric and Paul Cauhaupé.
The poleman made an excellent start to stay ahead of an unchanged quartet, while Louis Maurice (Code Racing Development) overtook Thibaut Bossy for fifth place. In a similar scenario to the previous day, the leader progressively escaped and Rodolphe Wallgren made a series of passes as the laps ticked off.
As the intensity increased throughout the field, the race changed on lap eight when Simon Tirman retired with a loss of power due to a wastegate problem. Edwin Traynard inherited the lead, followed by Louis Méric and Paul Cauhaupé. At the same time, Rodolphe Wallgren overtook Louis Maurice shortly before Lucas Frayssinet stopped with a puncture due to a valve stem failure.
Edwin Traynard kept the chase group at bay to score his second victory in the Alpine Elf Europa Cup, two years after his first success at Nogaro. He won both the general and Junior categories ahead of Louis Méric and Paul Cauhaupé. Rodolphe Wallgren and Louis Maurice completed the top five. Thibaut Bossy was sixth, followed by Romain Brun (Code Racing Development), Alexis Garcin and Gosia Rdest. Tenth, Philippe Bourgois sealed his double and the second triple victory of Chazel Technologie Course by beating Laurent Richard (Herrero Racing) in the Gentleman category.
A preliminary hierarchy is taking shape in the general classification, but the gaps are small with six different drivers representing five teams on the podium this weekend. Edwin Traynard has a slim three-point lead from Louis Méric and Rodolphe Wallgren, with Lucas Frayssinet fourth, six points behind, heading to round two at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours (12-14 May).
QUOTES
Lucas Frayssinet (race 1 winner)
“One day is like another, but not the same! We had great pace from the start of the weekend, we qualified strong, and I was tremendously pleased to get my first win. I wanted to do it again the next day, but unfortunately, we had a valve problem. We started in the pack, and I couldn’t avoid the traffic. We then had a recurrence of our problem so I’m disappointed, but that doesn’t take away from my joy after my maiden success, and I know we will come back stronger at Magny-Cours.”
Edwin Traynard (race 2 winner, Alpine Elf Europa Cup leader)
“I am delighted with the win, but it’s a shame for Simon as we didn’t have the opportunity to battle it out on the track. I managed to set my pace at the front, which is never easy, but I was able to pull away and win as I did two years ago at Nogaro. A big thank you to the Chazel Technologie Course team for their hard work this weekend, as it has been two years since I last drove the Alpine A110 Cup. I feel confident for Magny-Cours, but we will have to work hard to be at the front again!”
Philippe Bourgois (Gentleman category race 1 and race 2 winner)
“We shouldn’t celebrate too quickly, but the season is off to a fantastic start. More than the victory, what gives me the most pleasure is that I am closer to the younger drivers who were much further ahead of me last year. It’s still difficult to get close to them, but I’m improving and that gives me a lot of pleasure and motivation for the rest of the season!”
Louis Chazel (Chazel Technologie Course Team Manager)
“It was a perfect weekend in terms of results with a superb victory for Lucas Frayssinet, who dominated the first qualifying session and race one. We know he will be a strong title contender and we will have to count on him this year despite his lack of success on Monday with the valve problems, which we are investigating. Fortunately, Edwin Traynard took over from him at the front to confirm our work. We feel confident for Magny-Cours, especially as Philippe Bourgois won twice in the Gentleman category to launch his campaign to regain the title. We look forward to the Lyon-Charbonnières Rally with the Alpine A110 Rally before returning to the racetrack at Magny-Cours. We are lucky to have consistency between the different Alpine racing cars, so I hope we can continue this great story on the circuits and in the special stages with Alpine!”
CLASSIFICATIONS
Race 1
1. Lucas Frayssinet (Chazel Technologie Course)
2. Rodolphe Wallgren (Herrero Racing) +7.758s
3. Simon Tirman (Autosport GP) +8.880s
4. Louis Méric (Race Cars Consulting) +9.871s
5. Edwin Traynard (Chazel Technologie Course) +10.133s
Pole position: Lucas Frayssinet (Chazel Technologie Course) – 1:33.884s
Fastest lap: Lucas Frayssinet (Chazel Technologie Course) – 1:33.917s
Race 2
1. Edwin Traynard (Chazel Technologie Course)
2. Louis Méric (Race Cars Consulting) +1.656s
3. Paul Cauhaupé (Patrick Roger Autosport GP) +2.773s
4. Rodolphe Wallgren (Herrero Racing) +6.845s
5. Louis Maurice (Code Racing Development) +7.801s
Pole position : Simon Tirman (Autosport GP) – 1:33.732s
Fastest lap: Simon Tirman (Autosport GP) – 1:34.906s
General classification
1. Edwin Traynard – 28 points
2. Louis Méric & Rodolphe Wallgren – 25 points
4. Lucas Frayssinet – 22 points
5. Simon Tirman – 14 points
Source: Renault / Alpine
