25 April 2025, Ronalds

On April 19–20, the opening round of the French Autocross Championship was held at the Mauron circuit. The event drew several top-tier European Championship drivers, including Bernd Stubbe, Mike Bartelen, David Meat, Ares Lahoz, Rene Mandel, and more. Here is how the weekend unfolded:

Super Sprint (Women): Total Domination by Spain’s Ares Lahoz

Ares Lahoz delivered a flawless race in her new CrossCar Speedcar Wonder R, outpacing all competitors in the Sprint Girl category. It was a perfect warm-up ahead of the European Championship season. French drivers Morgane Barrat-Foulon and Mathilde Prieur-Bivaud completed the podium.

Final Top 3 – Super Sprint (Women):
🥇 Ares Lahoz
🥈 Morgane Barrat-Foulon
🥉 Mathilde Prieur-Bivaud

Super Sprint: David Meat Wins Again

As expected from a three-time European Champion, David Meat claimed another win. While this race served as a test run for him, his performance remained unquestionable. We will get a clearer picture of the competition at Seelow, but for now, Meat remains on top. He was followed closely by Tony Lhomond and Olivier Barre.

Final Top 3 – Super Sprint:
🥇 David Meat
🥈 Tony Lhomond
🥉 Olivier Barre

Buggy 1600: Tough Luck for European Contenders

After a long break, 2014 European Champion Rene Mandel returned to the Buggy 1600 class with an F&S chassis. He showed strong pace and secured pole position in the first semifinal, but a collision forced him to retire. Fellow European driver Mervin Klaassen came close to a podium finish but dropped back after a costly mistake.

The biggest surprise came from young French driver Malone Feuillade, runner-up in the 2024 European Junior Buggy Championship. Making his debut with a Fast & Speed buggy, he won his semifinal and took the lead at the start of the final. Unfortunately, he had to retire on lap two—but it was an impressive debut nonetheless.

Final Top 3 – Buggy 1600:
🥇 Edouard Vignal
🥈 Thomas Christol
🥉 Maxime Brossault

Super Buggy: Bartelen Beats Stubbe

Despite ten-time European Champion Bernd Stubbe being the clear favorite, Mike Bartelendebuting his newly built Trackline Super Buggy with a Toyota Yaris GR Turbo engine put on a brilliant performance in the final. Stubbe led after the first corner, but Bartalen made a decisive move on the inside in turn two and took over the lead, holding on for the win.

Final Top 3 – Super Buggy:
🥇 Mike Bartelen
🥈 Christophe Perrichot
🥉 Bernd Stubbe

That wraps up Round 1 of the French Autocross Championship. Next stop: Saint-Vincent, May 10–11!