Olivier Grouillard: “I have no one to blame but myself”

Hello Olivier. A Smart Brabus! Original for traveling through Occitania…

I bought it about ten years ago. I was looking for a very small vehicle to get from my home to my workplace, but a somewhat “typical” vehicle. At the time, this Smart “made by” Brabus, a trainer linked to Mercedes as is AMG. The look, the style, it suited me well. It was also one of the first cars with paddle shifters. Engine a little prepared, suspension a little hard, every time I use it, I enjoy it. I use it less and less, but I kept it and I will never part with it.

So you have a real attachment…

Yes, I like the object. It's the same thing with my Harley-Davidson or my Royale Enfield, I love them like we love paintings, works of art. My wife Florence always tells me that I have to sell it, that I don't use it, but no. Plus, this machine is a real kart.

Is it precisely with karts that it all started for you?

In the village where I lived, in Fenouillet (north of Toulouse. Ed.), there was a kart track. At school, I had a friend who was passionate about motorsport and mechanics, and who took me to this track. I must have been around fifteen. I went there and the passion took hold of me. Nobody in the family was in there. A little older, as I had no money and there was no question of my parents financing it, I took up mechanics. I helped a pilot, then two, then three, etc. I set myself up as an equipment dealer, and started preparing engines. It was through mechanics that I got into piloting. In the karting, I cared more about others than myself. I rode very little, but every time I had the opportunity to test my customers' equipment, I was faster. That's what convinced me to get started. I only did two seasons, winning the league championship and so on.