King of France 2024 was an epic off-road challenge that set the standard and delivered an electrifying off-road spectacle, blending high-speed sections with technically demanding rocky terrain. Held from June 13 to 15 in the stunning surroundings of Château de Lastours, near the Mediterranean coast, this premier off-road event brought together 40 teams from 10 countries, offering an intense battle across five competition classes.
With a meticulously designed 20-kilometer course, thrilling extreme zones, and world-class media coverage, the race set new standards for Ultra4 competition in Europe. Portuguese drivers dominated the Unlimited 4400 class, while other categories saw fierce competition, mechanical challenges, and standout performances.
From exhilarating night prologues to grueling rock crawls, the King of France 2024 left an indelible mark on the off-road racing scene. As drivers and teams already look ahead to 2025, one thing is certain—this event has cemented itself as a must-attend challenge for the world’s best off-road competitors.
The Ultimate Off-Road Showdown: King of France 2024
What a race! The King of France 2024 locked by ARB delivered an epic and unforgettable competition, blending high-speed sections with highly technical rocky terrain. Drivers unanimously praised the course, which proved to be the perfect setting for this premier off-road event. Nicolas Montador’s vision was spot on, and Chris Bowler expertly leveraged the landscape to design a race track that balanced challenge and exhilaration.
A Dream Realized
After months of relentless effort, Nicolas Montador, Chris Bowler, and their dedicated teams saw their vision come to life. From June 13 to 15, 2024, the King of France took place in southern France, along the Mediterranean coast near Spain, in the Aude region.
With 40 competing crews from 10 countries—France, the UK, Spain, Germany, Malta, Portugal, Italy, Poland, Belgium, and the Netherlands—the event gathered nearly 500 people, including race teams and organizers.
The choice of venue exceeded all expectations. Château de Lastours, nestled in the Corbières near Narbonne, provided a breathtaking setting: stunning landscapes, rocky ridges overlooking the Mediterranean, deep valleys, and fast, winding tracks. The 20-kilometer race course tested both speed and technical skill, offering the ideal battleground for 4×4 and Unlimited-class vehicles.
A Spectacle for Drivers and Fans Alike
The meticulously designed course allowed drivers to showcase their abilities, whether navigating technical obstacles or pushing their limits at high speeds. Chris Bowler crafted a series of stages that captured the essence of off-road racing—intense, demanding, and thrilling. Two extreme zones, Gigglepin and WSR Rocks, became instant highlights. The WSR Rocks section was a joker zone that drivers had to conquer once per race day, while the Gigglepin Rocks challenged competitors with steep descents on day one and grueling ascents on day two.
Fans enjoyed an unprecedented experience, with a giant screen broadcasting live footage, open paddock access to meet teams, and real-time coverage on Facebook. With cameras at the starting line, multiple on-track positions, and aerial drone footage, the King of France set a new standard for race coverage in Europe.
A dedicated media team—photographers/journalists Paolo Baraldi and Nicolas Mailfait Stévenin, alongside drone pilot Lorenzo Mazza—captured the action, ensuring daily recaps and breathtaking visuals.
The Competition Unfolds
The three-day event began with technical and administrative checks for the five competing categories: Stock, Modified, Legend, SSV, and Unlimited. While most categories tackled the same course, Stock and SSV classes bypassed the extreme rock-crawling sections.
The action kicked off with two prologue runs on June 13—one during the day, one at night—on a fast-paced 3 km track. Drivers pushed their limits to secure the best possible starting position for the main race.
Friday saw the first full day of racing on a 20 km course, with Modified, Legend, and Unlimited competitors tackling the demanding joker zone. On Saturday, the battle intensified, with drivers facing the Gigglepin Rocks in reverse—climbing where they had previously descended.
The Champions Emerge
While many expected strong performances from Gigglepin, Reul Sport Offroad, and Crazy Germans, it was the Portuguese drivers who dominated the Unlimited 4400 class.
Unlimited 4400
1st: Flavio Aquino (OnOff Racing)
2nd: Antonio Oliveira (M.S. Espiteaventura)
3rd: Andre Henriques (Tufao Evo Racing Team)
Modified 4500
1st: Diego Mendes
2nd: Red Baron
3rd: Tuff 4×4
Legend Class
1st: Aymeric Syre (France)
2nd: Paul Molinero (France, Catalan’D66)
3rd: Jan Klingenberg (Germany, JD Offroad Racing)
Stock Class
1st: Mathias Armand (France)
2nd: Yohan Chinot (France, Luberon team)
3rd: EETP (France)
SSV Class
1st: Skyworks (Italy)
2nd: Skyworks (Italy)
3rd: Noah Jaquet (France, youngest competitor)
The competition was brutal, with technical failures and mechanical issues proving just as decisive as driver skill. To win at King of France, a team had to be both fast and resilient.
Drivers and teams universally praised the event’s organization, course design, and atmosphere. Just days after the 2024 edition ended, many competitors were already planning their return.
A special thanks goes to the sponsors who made this first edition at Château de Lastours possible: ARB Europe, WSR, Vision X Europe, Gigglepin, Pro Eagle, Spidertrax, KS Tuning, Access Cars, Loo Créations, Offroad Lifestyle, and Journal du 4×4. Thanks also to our hosts at Château de Lastours, our track teams, and our media and video partners Poly-Son. With the experience gained this year, the 2025 edition promises even more excitement, surprises, and challenges. Get ready—King of France is just getting started!
