François Wales: “We have optimized our expenses and our budgets”

Why did you decide, so early, to cancel the 308 Racing Cup?

We have a very important responsibility for the health of everyone involved in our activities. Economically speaking too, our responsibility is strong, both for us and for the entities with which we work. We cannot fool people with short-term perspectives and we therefore preferred to offer something structured, careful, so that those interested can position themselves. Today, we consider that it will be possible to calmly resume activities, in a controlled health situation, at the start of the school year (September. Editor's note). Regarding the preservation aspect of our business – and therefore the people working with us – we have suffered a drastic cut in our budgets.

Is the goal of customer competition to make money?

Customer competition must indeed be a profitable business. Overall it is, afterward we must not hide, certain disciplines are less or even not profitable. We have a significant budget for promotional formulas. In the current context, we have optimized our expenses and our budgets to combine the two activities on the same calendar and not duplicate our expenses.

How will you proceed?

We have chosen to maintain a Meetings calendar Peugeot Sport of four events (Dijon, Val de Vienne, Nogaro and Magny-Cours. Editor's note) with one event ofEndurance the duration of which will probably be modulated, because a 24-hour race has a significant cost. Within this calendar, we will include the 308 Racing Cup. This will be the case in Dijon and Nogaro and probably at other meetings. We will offer very attractive conditions. What we want in this micro-season is that our customers enjoy themselves with lower sporting stakes than in a full campaign. And maintain the passion and connection between us.

Is the idea to return to a classic pattern from 2021?

For the moment, it is the reference, yes.

With a larger platform?

We had around fifteen vehicles planned, which corresponds to our average for several years. We will see how our proposal will be perceived, but I am hopeful of maintaining this volume in the races at the end of the year. Regarding 2021, it is complicated to plan, but what is happening will not be without consequences.

What about your big challenge for 2020: the 208 Rally 4?

We manage to maintain a small assembly activity and should be able to deliver the first cars in May. We have around a hundred firm orders and that's the excellent news of the last few weeks.