And had the Clio not been spun out on the opening lap of the semi-final at the Nyirád Racing Center, it may well have reached the Euro RX3 final at its first attempt.

The car is built and run by RX Evolution. Since the Brittaney-based outfit was established six years ago, it has gained an excellent reputation for building high-quality and competitive Renault Clio rallycross cars. After many successes in the French Rallycross Championship, the team has now embarked on a two-year Euro RX3 programme, in which it aims to develop the car for the European circuits.

The car is driven in Euro RX3 by David Bouet who started his motorsport career after winning a sim competition organised by Yvan Muller. He entered circuit racing the following year, driving in 2016 for the four-time FIA World Touring Car champion’s team – before making a successful switch to rallycross a few years later. 

The 29-year-old from Caen in Normandy became French Junior Rallycross champion in 2021 – and part of that title winning prize was a Renault Clio Super 1600 in which he contested the 2022 French Rallycross Championship, where he finished third. 

On his Euro RX3 debut in Hungary, Bouet finished all four heats – starting from pole in one, leading another and setting consistently fast lap times throughout.

Bouet qualified third for the semi-final but was unfortunately spun out of the race exiting Turn 1 – with the car coming to rest against the inside barrier, facing the way it had come.

But despite this, he, the team and the car had done more than enough to raise a few Euro RX3 eyebrows.

“The aim this year is to score the best results possible,” says Bouet.

“For us, all the tracks are new, so we have to learn them and also adapt the car’s set up.

“It’s an interesting challenge and we are looking forward to it.”