Pelfrène believes ‘the time is right’ to step up to Euro RX1

Anthony Pelfrène has revealed his intention to contest a full campaign of Euro RX1 competition with DA Racing in 2024, following an impressive season in the French Rallycross Championship’s top division.

A comparatively late starter in the sport, Pelfrène only began racing in 2017, initially participating in cross-country events before making his rallycross bow four years later in the Coupe de France, piloting a Renault Clio to multiple podium finishes and race wins.

The Frenchman joined the Euro RX1 field for the first time on home soil at Lohéac in 2021, returning at Montalegre earlier this year and advancing to the semi-final stage. He has since gone on to stun his rivals in the domestic series, fighting his way to two victories – pending the result of an ongoing appeal – and three further rostrum appearances from eight outings in 2023 to provisionally secure the runner-up spoils in the standings in his first full season at Supercar level.

Having purchased a 2017-spec Peugeot 208 from countryman Laurent Bouliou – which he will debut in the forthcoming final round of the Portuguese Rallycross Championship at Lousada – Pelfrène is now aiming to similarly prove himself on the international scene, as he throws his hat into the ring in the FIA European Rallycross Championship.

“I’m really excited to try something new, and I believe this is the right time for me to test my mettle in Euro RX1,” asserted the 37-year-old Pontoise native. “Last weekend at Dreux, I had the opportunity to measure myself against one of the top drivers in Europe in Yury Belevskiy, which helped to confirm my choice. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can achieve over the course of a full season in the series.

“I spent a lot of time talking to Peugeot Sport engineers who previously worked in World RX. They told me this Peugeot 208 is one of the best versions that has ever been developed for rallycross, and my car will be virtually identical to the one that Jānis Baumanis has driven to second overall in each of the past two years in the European Championship.

“2024 will be just my fourth season competing in rallycross, but this is the right moment for me to go out and discover the best circuits in the world. It promises to be a very special experience.”