19 mars 2018
Quick interview : Olivier Delaporte
A quick Q&A with Olivier Delaporte, who finished second at Rallye Le Touquet Pas de Calais for his maiden outing in the Clio R3T Trophy France.
How did you arrive in the Clio R3T Trophy France ?
This winter I bought Dorian Launay’s car and rebuilt it completely. My interest in the Trophy was sparked when I was looking through a magazine on the plane. With the prize money and the bonuses it’s a really attractive proposition for a driver like me. It also gave me the opportunity to do the French Championship while scoring points towards the French Cup. The final will take place near where I live in Chalon-sur-Saône.
Was second place in Le Touquet a pleasant surprise ?
Let’s just say that I didn’t expect to be in the mix so quickly on a surface like this one. Last year I was racing a Mitsubishi Lancer and you don’t drive the Clio R3T in the same way. When I saw that I was firmly installed in second place I kept a cool head and I really controlled things on Saturday. It’ll be different in the “Charbo” on a surface on which I feel more at home. It’s possible that I’ll be in contention for victory there. But it won’t be easy as Florian Bernardi is driving very well. Cedric Robert warned me about him !
How did things go in the first round in the context of the Trophy ?
There’s a really good ambience thanks to Renault Sport’s welcome, the technical support from their engineers and the shop for spare parts on the spot. It’s a very good idea as you don’t have to bring a lot of equipment. As I look after the mechanical side myself, I’m delighted with the car’s reliability.