66th Mont Dore Hillclimb Preview: French Championship Heats Up
The 66th Côte de Coeur Mont Dore hillclimb will mark the beginning of the decisive phase in the French hillclimb championship, with competitors facing a demanding 5-kilometre course in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The event is expected to draw a strong field across multiple categories, with several drivers capable of challenging for overall honours.
In the 3-litre E2-SC class, Maxime Dojat (France) emerges as one of the leading contenders, piloting a Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo after a series of impressive performances. However, he will face stiff opposition from Corentin Starck (Belgium), also driving a Nova NP 01-2 C Honda Turbo, who returns following a brief absence and carries unfinished business after a previous accident. Sebastien Jacqmin (France) in a Nova NP 01-2 Honda Turbo has delivered a strong season to date, while Cedric Lansard (France) will pilot an Osella PA27 Cosworth. In the 3-litre Group DE formula category, Miguel Vidal (France) will campaign a Lola B06/51 Mugen F3000, facing competition from Benoit Bouche (France) in a Reynard 99L Mugen F3000. From the CN class, Etienne Pernot (France) will drive a Norma M20FC 4-litre BMW.
Marc Pernot (France), the defending champion, will be among the favourites for overall victory in his Nova NP 01-2 C Hartley Turbo, competing in the 2-litre E2-SC sportprototype category. He will encounter Mylenia Machado (France) in a Revolt 2P0 Hartley Turbo. In the smallest E2-SC class (up to 1.6 litres), Yves Tholy (France) in a Nova NP 03 Suzuki and Julien Bost (France) also in a Nova NP 03 Suzuki are expected to contend for fastest times.
The 2-litre CN class features a competitive lineup led by Tom Diebold (France) in a Norma M20F Honda and Guillaume Jean (France) in a Norma M20FC Honda. Other contenders include Yohan Bardin, Freddy Cadot, William Pommery, and Jennifer La Monica (all France), each piloting Norma M20FC Hondas. In the 2-litre Group DE formula category, David Diebold (France) will drive a Tatuus Formula Master S2000 Honda, with Romain Pezot (France) in a Tatuus Formula Master F2 Honda, Pierre Mayeur (France) in a Martini MK69 Evo BMW, Thomas Clausi (France) in a Tatuus Formula Master S2000 Honda, Lionel Ryter (Switzerland) in a Tatuus Renault FR 2.0 Evo, and Sarah Bernard (France) in a Tatuus Formula Master S2000 Honda all expected to feature.
The touring car category will see Anthony Dubois (France), the reigning French champion, competing in an Alpine A110 GT4 Evo. Key rivals include Nicolas Werver (France) in a Porsche 997 GT3 R, Jean-Francois Ganevat (France) in a Renault R.S. 01, Ronald Garces (France) in a Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, Oliver Berreur (France) in a Renault R.S. 01, Alexandre Garnier (France) in a Porsche 991.2 GT3 Cup, Manuel Brunet (France) in a Lamborghini Huracán ST Evo 2, Philippe Marion (France) in a Porsche 991.1 GT3 Cup, and Thierry Tierce (France) making his hillclimb debut in a Porsche 991.2 GT3 Cup.