Bouffier: “It’s gotten serious! »

Why weren't you at the start of the rally from Poland?
“It's clear that I would have liked to take part, especially since I have a bit of experience having competed in the last two editions. After my two Polish championship titles, this year I am racing piecemeal. I managed to do the first two rounds in a Mitsubishi group N and, even being leader, it is not easy to raise the budget and even less to enter the Polish rally which does not count for the championship . »

Is it a typical Polish rally or a separate event?
“It’s a very nice rally. A real driving treat! Overall, the rallies are fast in Poland with narrow stages and a rather sandy surface. The Mikolajki region is beautiful with all these lakes and forests where people come on vacation. That has its charm. Here in the countryside, we are almost sure not to disturb local residents. But, as a result, the rally is a little out of the way and far from the big cities. »

This first edition in WRC proved to be a huge popular success. Surprised or not?
“It’s impressive how many people there are at the edge of the special stages. I have the feeling that there are twice as many people as last year. This country is in full development. When I came to race here for the first time in 2004, the professionalism was not what you can find today. It was quite limited in terms of spectators passing anywhere. Whereas there, it became more serious. »

How were you received in Poland?
“I think the spectators were happy to see a foreign driver come to their championship. On the side of my opponents, the situation has evolved. When I started to get results, they obviously weren't very happy. It was legitimate. Then, once this mini storm passed, I felt accepted. »

Your teammate, Xavier Panseri, settled in Poland while you became a star in demand on TV?
“Xavier has been installed for eight months. As for me, I'm not Polish! I still live in France even if I continue to run here. You have to know how to seize every opportunity. I did the Terre de l?Auxerrois on a C2 R2 Max and I am still in contact with Proton for IRC rounds. Paradoxically, I find more solutions for running in Poland where I am starting to be quite well known. Even in the streets of Warsaw, I sometimes sign autographs. It?s always nice to be appreciated. Just before the rally, I took part in a “culinary” show hosted by a Franco-Polish presenter who was a hit with the audience. You just had to eat and comment on the meal. I don't speak the local language, so we did everything in French. I continued with the rally where I found myself as a consultant. Speaking English this time! »