WRC2 Rally: the Citroën C3 Rally2, a legendary car equipped with SNR wheel bearings

For more than eight months, we have been following the incredible adventure of Sarah Rumeau and Julie Amblard, from the Iron DAMES team, on the tracks of the WRC2 World Rally Championship. Eight months of thrills, pushing themselves to the limit and sporting performances.  

But behind every performance is a powerful machine: the Citroën C3 Rally2. Let's take a closer look at this legendary car and its technical preparation, two essential factors in leading the duo to victory.  

Technical preparation: a constant challenge for WRC2

In WRC2, the level is very high and the demands are intense. Julie and Sarah leave nothing to chance: physical, mental and technical preparation are part of their daily routine. Their Citroën C3 Rally2, prepared by the SARRAZIN Motorsport team, is equipped with SNR wheel bearings developed by NTN Europe, a strategic partnership that has proven its worth in the world championship.

The Citroën C3 Rally2: an iconic car designed for competition by CITROEN Racing

The C3 Rally2 (formerly R5), developed by Citroën Racing, is one of the benchmarks in modern rallying. Used in numerous national and international championships (RC2, RC3), it is renowned for its performance, reliability and adaptability to different terrains. This car is a powerhouse of technology, capable of adapting to the most extreme conditions (asphalt, dirt, snow) thanks to its high-precision settings.

NTN Europe, mechanical performance partner

Each wheel of the Citroën C3 incorporates two SNR bearings specially designed for competition and manufactured in limited series at the group's prototype workshop in Annecy, France.

Rallying: a full-scale laboratory for R&D

Thanks to this technical partnership, NTN Europe's Research & Innovation department benefits from additional, direct feedback that complements the feedback NTN has been receiving from CITROEN RACING for several years. After each race or training session, the wheel assemblies and therefore the bearings are inspected and analysed by SARRAZIN MOTORSPORT engineers. Sarah shares her driving impressions and the team's observations can then be discussed to further improve the car's performance.

This approach, which NTN develops in all its sporting partnerships, not only optimises performance for rallying, but also advances technologies for everyday vehicles.

In an environment as varied and unpredictable as rallying — tarmac, dirt, mud, ice, rocks, jumps — every component of the car is put to the test. It is in these extreme conditions that tomorrow's innovations are shaped.

A partnership based on trust and excellence

The partnership between NTN Europe and Julie & Sarah goes far beyond financial support; it is also technical. It is a collaboration based on shared values: a passion for sport, the pursuit of performance and unwavering rigour. Since the start of their rallying adventure three years ago, NTN Europe has supported the team by providing them not only with cutting-edge products, but also with knowledge and genuine human support.