Chatillon Tightens Grip on WRC3 as Pelamourgues Fights Back

The Frenchman, who inherited the lead following Arthur Pelamourgues’ costly error on Friday ([link to Friday’s story]), began Saturday with a comfortable 54.2sec buffer over compatriot Ghjuvanni Rossi. Consistently posting top-three stage times aboard his Renault Clio Rally3, Chatillon was able to extend that advantage to 1min 14.6sec by the end of the leg. 

Pelamourgues, who dropped to third on Friday behind Rossi’s Ford Fiesta Rally3, spent much of Saturday recovering the deficit to second place. His efforts were rewarded when he regained the position on the penultimate stage of the day. 

While the podium places were largely a French affair, a fierce battle for fourth spot emerged between Japan’s Shotaro Goto and Takumi Matsushita. The pair, both driving identical Renault Clio Rally3s and representing the third generation of Toyota GAZOO Racing’s WRC Challenge Programme, were separated by only 2.2sec by day’s end. 

Their battle was prompted by the misfortune of Bolivia’s Nataniel Bruun, who was forced into retirement after sustaining suspension damage following an off on SS11. Bruun is expected to restart on Sunday.

 Former ERC3 champion Igor Widłak completed Saturday’s top six in his Fiesta Rally3.