Roussanne and Jousset kick off the Alpine Elf Cup Series season by overcoming the Nogaro challenges

Twenty-two drivers from across the motor racing spectrum were on hand to launch season seven of the Alpine Elf Cup Series at the Circuit Paul Armagnac in Nogaro for the Easter Cup, where over 34,000 spectators were in attendance throughout the weekend.

RACE 1: VICTORIOUS DEBUT FOR ROUSSANNE

Double winner of the 2023 season-ending round, Léo Jousset picked up where he left off in free practice, dominating both sessions on the recently resurfaced and faster Gers circuit. However, qualifying turned in favour of teammate Pierre Sancinéna (Race Cars Consulting).

Conditions changed dramatically for race one of the season on Sunday evening. Pierre Sancinéna held off Charles Roussanne on a damp track to retain the lead on the first lap. Charles Roussanne was incisive on his maiden race at the wheel of the A110 Cup and took the lead from Pierre Sancinéna on lap three.

The new leader quickly pulled away from his pursuer, who was now under attack from Thibaut Bossy (Herrero Racing). Behind him, the field came to life under the impetus of another Alpine newcomer, Florian Coruble. After winning his duel with Lukas Papin (Schumacher CLRT), the French driver found an opening on Léo Jousset before overtaking Enzo Geraci (Chazel Technologie Course Junior) and Thibaut Bossy in quick succession.

Charles Roussanne went on to take a comfortable win, 16 seconds ahead of Challenger Florian Coruble, who overtook Pierre Sancinéna with two laps to go. Thibaut Bossy, Enzo Geraci, Léo Jousset and Mattéo Nomblot (Chazel Technologie Course Junior) battled right up to the chequered flag, finishing in that order in a compact group. Sami Dhahri (VPS Racing) and Clément Berlié (VPS Racing) moved up in the waning minutes, followed by Lukas Papin, who rounded out the top ten. Meanwhile, Alain Jacono (Chazel Technologie Course) won the Gentlemen category.

RACE 2: JOUSSET RESISTS

On Monday, the action resumed on a track soaked by overnight showers. Florian Coruble confirmed his fine predispositions in tricky conditions to claim his first pole position ahead of Thibaut Bossy and Charles Roussanne. Léo Jousset was fourth ahead of Alain Jacono, who scored his best qualifying result.

The drivers put on their Michelin slick tyres for the race a few hours later. Thibaut Bossy quickly reacted when the lights turned green and jumped in the lead. Trailing at the start, Florian Coruble battled hard with Léo Jousset and Charles Roussanne to hold on to second place before a safety car period to recover the car of Pierre Macchi (Schumacher CLRT).

Thibaut Bossy and Léo Jousset pulled away from their rivals at the restart, while Charles Roussanne snatched third place from Florian Coruble. The hierarchy changed again when Thibaut Bossy put a wheel in the grass on lap six and dropped to 16th place. Léo Jousset, the new leader, found his mirrors full of Charles Roussanne and Florian Coruble. The chase group was also busy, with Sami Dhahri, Pierre Sancinéna and Lukas Papin overtaking Mattéo Nomblot before he retired.

Despite repeated attacks from his rivals, Léo Jousset claimed his first win of the season and the third of his Alpine Elf Cup Series career. He was joined on the podium by Charles Roussanne and Challenger Florian Coruble. Fourth at the chequered flag, Sami Dhahri was penalised five seconds for track limits. Lukas Papin who started 14th, was promoted to fourth ahead of teammate Gaspard Simon (Schumacher CLRT), who overtook Pierre Sancinéna on the penultimate lap. Enzo Geraci also surprised his rival Tom Verdier (Chazel Technologie Course Junior) to snatch seventh place as Sandro Perissoutti (Code Racing Development) and Sami Dhahri looked on. Paul Paranthoen (Code Racing Development) inherited victory in the Gentlemen category after Frédéric de Brabant (Chazel Technologie Course) received a ten-second penalty for their contact earlier in the race.

Junior Charles Roussanne is the early leader in the general classification ahead of Challenger Florian Coruble and Léo Jousset. Alain Jacono and Paul Paranthoen lead in the Gentlemen category, whereas Race Cars Consulting leads VPS Racing and Chazel Technologie Course Junior in the teams' classification.

The Nogaro Easter Cup was also the scene of the maiden victory of the Alpine A110 GT4 driven by reigning Alpine Elf Cup Series title-winner Lorens Lecertua and Matéo Herrero. The Franco-Belgian duo won their first race in the French FFSA GT Championship, taking the spoils in the Silver Cup at the end of a race full of challenges due to the changing conditions.

The Alpine Elf Cup Series competitors now focus on round two of the calendar at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão (25-28 April).

QUOTES

Charles Roussanne (race 1 winner, leader of the general and Juniors classifications)

"I didn't expect to win on my debut, but I knew we had the pace. We worked hard with the team this winter, both on myself and the car, and I'm delighted to see the hard work pay off. I didn't want to take any risks in race one, but I had a great opportunity to overtake Pierre. My goal is to win the title, and we will do everything we can to do so. The season has gotten off to a flying start."

Léo Jousset (Race 2 winner)

"This victory is comforting as it confirms that we were the quickest in dry conditions. That makes three wins from my last four starts. I'm freer to take the car to its limits, which has created a positive dynamic to reward the team's work. I'm pleased we've turned the corner, but Charles looks capable in all conditions. It will be tough, so it's bound to be more fun, but we will do whatever it takes to get ahead of him in every race."

Florian Coruble (double winner Challengers category)

"My pace surprised me in race one, as did the difficulty my rivals had finding grip. I enjoyed my first race in the Alpine Elf Cup Series and got a fine result. Despite a slight loss of pace mid-race forcing me to save my rear tyres, I confirmed that the next day. It was a truly positive first weekend. The aim is to be at the sharp end of the general classification, but there's stiff competition, and I still have a few things to learn, starting with the Portimão circuit at the next meeting."

Alain Jacono (Race 1 Gentlemen category winner)

"I made my motor racing debut or so here a year ago with a weekend cut short by a crash, so this is sweet revenge. The conditions weren't easy for a 'young' driver like me, but I came out on top with a big comeback and some excellent overtaking. I analysed my rivals and applied myself on the exit of turn 14 to overtake Paul and take this victory. I'm here to have fun, but I'm a competitor with high ambitions, and I will do everything I can to achieve them with a fabulous team."

Paul Paranthoen (Race 2 Gentlemen category winner)

"It was great fun to stand on the top step of the podium, but also to see the joy in the team's eyes because it's a team effort first and foremost. The A110 GT4 and A110 Cup are different in terms of weight and power, so you have to drive them differently, even if the DNA is the same. It takes a bit of time to get used to, but for a first go, it makes you want to do it!"

CLASSIFICATIONS

Race 1

1. Charles Roussanne (VPS Racing)
2. Florian Coruble (Chazel Technologie Course Junior) +16.459s
3. Pierre Sancinéna (Race Cars Consulting) +20.831s
4. Thibaut Bossy (Herrero Racing) +24.910s
5. Enzo Geraci (Chazel Technologie Course Junior) +15.360s

Pole position: Pierre Sancinéna (Race Cars Consulting) – 1m30.782s
Fastest lap: Charles Roussanne (VPS Racing) – 1m41.506s

Race 2

1. Léo Jousset (Race Cars Consulting)
2. Charles Roussanne (VPS Racing) +1.200s
3. Florian Coruble (Chazel Technologie Course Junior) +2.595s
4. Lukas Papin (Schumacher CLRT) +8.290s
5. Gaspard Simon (Schumacher CLRT) +8.930s

Pole position: Florian Coruble (Chazel Technologie Course Junior) – 1m40.240s
Fastest lap: Charles Roussanne (VPS Racing) - 1m32.355s

General classification

1. Charles Roussanne – 37 points
2. Florian Coruble – 28 points
3. Léo Jousset – 26 points
4. Pierre Sancinéna – 19. points
5. Enzo Geraci – 13 points