Rallye Défi Petite Nation 2025: a unique event

A show in three parts

Under the honorary presidency of Denis Tassé, Mayor of Montpellier, the official start will be given on Friday, September 5 at 4 pm. On this first evening, spectators will be invited to the Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve, at the Mulet station, to admire three passages of cars on the Chemin de la Baie de l'Ours, between 4 pm and 10 pm.

On Saturday, September 6, the competition will set off early from Saint-Émile-de-Suffolk and Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix, before reaching the heart of the village of Montpellier. The municipal center will become a privileged meeting place for amateurs and crews, with two spectacular speed events crossing the village.

The action then shifts to the Saint-Sixte area, with no fewer than eight special stages in the afternoon, plus a service area where the cars will be pampered before the eyes of the spectators. The day culminates in Ripon, with the podium ceremony and closing banquet at 7 p.m.

Top-level crews

This year, 27 crews will take the start, ready to do battle on over 200 km of roads divided into 19 classification events. The confrontation promises to be intense between two-time Canadian champion Jean-Sébastien Besner (Ford Fiesta R5) and Mexico's Ricardo Cordero (Citroën C3 R5). Other favourites, such as Simon Vincent, Sébastien Clark, Yohan Tessier and Trevor Pougnet (winner of the Black Bear), are also expected to come out on top.

In the two-wheel-drive category, the arrival of the speedy Peugeot 208 Rally4s is attracting a lot of attention. Drivers such as Mikael Arsenault, Nicolas Laverdière and young Vincent Lalande are looking to shine, following on from the all-Peugeot podium at Baie-des-Chaleurs.

A region made for rallying

Rallying has been part of Petite Nation history for almost a century. As far back as the 60s, the Shell Rally of Vancouver passed through the region. The first closed-road speed events appeared in the 90s, paving the way for the creation of the Rallye Défi. Even today, international crews recognize the beauty and difficulty of the local roads.

A mobilized community

The organization relies on the generosity of volunteers and the collaboration of municipalities. Roads will be closed to traffic to ensure everyone's safety. The municipalities involved in 2025 are : Chénéville, Duhamel, Lac-Simon, Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix, Ripon, Saint-Émile-de-Suffolk, Saint-Sixte and Montpellier.