During the winter, between test days and meetings with my team, I take my sponsors to the race track in Ledenon (south of France) for a whole day of racing in a Formula Ford Kent. This car is excellent for someones first steps into racing. I had my debut in car racing in the Fomula Ford Kent French Championship which I won, becoming the first Rookie driver to win this series. This is why I enjoy sharing this experience with the ones who gave me the chance to express myself on the race tracks throughout the season.
This winter, Induct (research and development), Dotmobil (fleet management systems) and Fabrice Gueroux (expert in counterfeit vintage collection watches), my sponsors for the 2008 West European Formula Renault Challenger Cup and I celebrated my title by giving Induct and Dotmobil’s staff the oportunity to set foot in a real race car.
Because I want everyone to have fun and get as much track time as possible, I chose to bring everyone to the Team Palmyr which is also a driving school. I have done my first laps in a real race car and won two championships with this team. The day starts with a briefing on how a race car works, especially a Formula Ford. Every detail is covered such as the right lines to follow, double clutching, using all the track etc..
Once the guys are done, it is time to suit up and take a seat in a road car that will be used to take them around the track for a few laps in order for the lines, gears and braking points to be in their minds before getting behind the wheel.
It is now 10:00 am, the first four are set up and ready to hit the track. They will be going for 7 laps during which they will learn the track and start feeling confortable with the gear shifting, braking hard and heating up the tires. It is with a great smile that they come out of the car looking for someone to share their experience.
Once the staff has gone at least twice, it is time for the owner of Induct and Dotmobil to have fun. Du to his racing experience and after a few laps in the Formula Ford, I gave him the wheel of my the Formula Renault I won the 2008 West European Challenger Cup with. He came out with the usual smile and shared with me his thought about the car, the power etc…
The day is coming to an end , I take the time to take pictures with the staff and partners so they can use the footage for their PR and marketing. It is now 6:00 pm and I have to get to the TGV for a 3 hours ride to Paris where I live. This is a very exciting part of my job where I get to share what I do with the ones who believe in me and want me to make it to the top.
