Rallye du Var 2008 Final Results, photos and video: Dany Snobeck claims win and the Championnat de France on the last day

Posted by Scott Coursey 30 November, 2008

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Image: © DPPI

62 year old Dany Snobeck grabbed victory on the Rallye du Var 2008 after Eric Brunson suffered a spin on the penultimate test and then having to retire on the final stage due to a fire.

Snobeck, who last won the rally in 1982 at the wheel of a Renault 5 GT Turbo, took the lead on the first of the two stages today after Brunson had gearbox trouble and spun his S8 WRC losing 48s. Brunson held a slender 8.8s overnight lead but lost all that and more with his spin. It then got worse as his car caught fire due to turbo problems on the last stage and he had to retire.

Jean-Sebastien Vigion claimed second in his 207 S2000 after Brunson's demise. Sebastien and Severine Loeb were a sensational 3rd overall in the front wheel-drive 1600 C2 despite finding the conditions tricky.

Champion Snobeck

Image: © DPPI

Dany Snobeck was delighted to win the title:

I am happy to win the title but I especially remember the victory on the Rally du Var in such conditions. I am also delighted to be on the podium with Sebastien Loeb and Séverine.

I feel like I'm back 26 years ago. Motor racing is a fabulous sport and I will continue to do freelance in 2009. "

Sebastien Loeb commented:

We have had a good time despite difficult conditions.

Everything went really well with Séverine, she always got the notes right. She will soon replace Daniel! "

Image: © DPPI

Videos Rallye du Var 2008

54. RALLYE DU VAR FINAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Dany Snobeck/Gilles Mondesir (F) Peugeot 307 WRC 2:33.09,2
2. Jean-Sebastien Vigion/Eric Yvernault (F) Peugeot 207 S2000 3.25,9
3. Sebastien Loeb/Severine Loeb (F) Citroen C2 S1600 +4.20,2
4. Guillaume Canivenq/Sebastien Grimal (F) Peugeot 207 S2000 +4.54,0
5. Pierre Roche/Martine Roche (F) Subaru Impreza WRC S8 +7.22,9
6. David Salanon/Laurent Magat (F) Peugeot 306 Maxi +8.29,0
7. Michel Boetti/Emmanuelle Nas de Tourris (F) Peugeot 306 Maxi +9.45,3
8. Cedric Robert/Eric Louat (F) Renault Clio R3 +10.14,0
9. Joan Vinyes/Jordi Mercader (E) Renault Clio R3 +14.25,4
10. Philippe Greiffenberg/Denis Giraudet (F) Peugeot 207 S2000 +14.32,9

Final French Championship Standings
1. Snobeck 95, 2. Brunson 79, 3. Augoyard 72, 4. Vigion 58, 5. Gal 54, 6. Rouillard 54.

Pieter Tsjoen had a rather nasty crash on the second day, but thankfully there were no injuries. Images below from forum-auto.