The second round of the Madagascar Asphalt Hill Climb Championship took place on Sunday in Imerinkasinina. Tovonen Jr has confirmed his dominance.
Make that two. The young driver from the FMMSAM club, Juan Rakotojohary, also known as Tovonen Jr, driving a Renault Clio Motul in the M11 two-wheel drive group, remains untouchable. Tovonen Jr once again dominated the second round of the Madagascar Asphalt Hill Climb Championship this Sunday in Imerinkasinina with ease.
He flawlessly achieved the scratch times in all three contested heats. The fourth and final ascent had to be canceled following an accident involving Eric Begue’s Peugeot 106 Kit Car. Juan recorded the best time of this national round during his third run, clocking in at 1:40.71. He improved his time throughout each run: 1:45.33 in the first and 1:42.20 in the second.
This FMMSAM driver has maintained a flawless record since the start of the championship, both on asphalt and dirt tracks. He secured victory in the inaugural asphalt round at Antanetibe Mahazaza, Mahitsy, on April 26, as well as the first two rounds on dirt tracks in Volomborona, Imerinkasinina.
King of the Closed Circuit
“The track at Imerinkasinina is completely different from the one at Antanetibe Mahazaza. It was my first race in Imerinkasinina. The track is not very technical. I simply visualized the circuit during the first runs. Then I increased the pace without taking too many risks,” says Tovonen Jr. “I also had to manage a clutch issue starting from the first run,” he noted.
His father, Tovohery Rakotojohary, known as Tovonen, driving a Renault Clio M11 group 2WD, climbed to the second step of the podium. Tovonen achieved his best time of 1:43.84 on the final ascent, trailing his son by 3.33 seconds.
Eric Begue, driving a P106 Kit Car, who had the second-best time during the first national round in April, this time rounded out the podium with a best time of 1:44.05, achieved in the first run. Unfortunately, he hit the left side of the track after the first ascent at the entrance of the first chicane, resulting in a rollover. The driver was fortunately unhurt, but the organization had to interrupt the race and cancel the fourth and final heat.
Titi Lamboh, real name Heritiana Razafindralambo, driving a BMW E30 M12, who placed third in the first national round and is a regular winner of the non-championship races in Imerinkasinina, had to settle for fourth place this time with a best time of 1:45.01, achieved on his third and final run. The third and penultimate round of the national championship will take place on September 4 and 5 outside the capital, in Sambaina, on National Route 2.
Serge Rasanda
Captured & Published at: 2026-06-30 16:45:38 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/06/course-de-cote-asphalte-2e-manche-juan.html