Eric Mauffrey changes course

Formula promotion winner, former official driver Renault Sport in 1992, opener for François Delecour in the World Championship, titled in the Coupe de France and the Michelin Trophy, second in the 2007 French Rally Championship, Eric Mauffrey has experienced almost everything in an already busy career. After a year of 2008 with disappointing results despite the rental of a Peugeot 307WRC on a selection of events, he decided to ride a Clio Renault Sport R3 for 2009.

This choice, radical after having fought at the highest level of French rallies, was first dictated by the economic difficulties of the moment. “As in all sectors, we are suffering,” recognizes Eric. “We still have the trust of our partners but the budgets are no longer there. However, the desire to drive and fight remains. It was therefore necessary to find new solutions. »

In recent years, Eric Mauffrey has been one of the great figures in the French Rally Championship with a Subaru Impreza Group A, a Peugeot 306 Maxi then a Peugeot 307WRC. But it is behind the wheel of a Clio Renault Sport R3 that he sees his future: “Different criteria forced me to make this choice. Economically, we did not have the means to acquire a Super 2000 which was still too expensive. With the Clio, we remain below the psychological bar of 100 euros. I was also attracted by the formula which will allow us to finance ourselves as was the case with the Michelin Trophy. »

Following the same observation, the former winner of the Coupe de France prefers to buy his own car: “With my budget, I could only have done two or three rental rallies. By investing to buy my car, I will be able to compete in the Clio R3 France Trophy and certainly a good part of the European trophy. By choosing a Clio Renault Sport R3, I am assured of being able to resell it fairly quickly if the need arises. This is no longer the case with a kit-car which is reaching the end of its life. »

Absent from the first event of the Trophy, Eric Mauffrey is impatient to be able to measure himself against his new rivals: “The car is on its feet. We are waiting for the engine to be delivered. We will be ready for Grasse. All the lights are green even though I haven't yet covered a single meter with a Clio. I had a long discussion with Cédric Robert who convinced me. Discovering the car in Col de Bleine will certainly be very interesting! »

The 50th Rally de Grasse Fleurs et Parfum will take place from April 3 to 5, 2009.