Gilles de Turckheim: “Rallying is about sharing intense moments with friends”

Gilles, please introduce yourself in a few words.

I celebrated my 45th birthday on January 12th, the day the Africa Eco Race finished at Lac Rose (Senegal). Pierre Lafay, my driver, gave me the gift of letting me drive during the last special, which didn't count towards the ranking. Married to Marion, father of a daughter and two sons, I live on the outskirts of Montpellier. I'm a landscaper, business owner, and licensed with ASA Alès.

How did your passion for motorsport begin?

When I was young, my cousin's boyfriend was passionate about rallies and he took me with him. Chazel Technologie was nearby, we became friends, and I started tinkering on weekends... My father and I watched Automotive, I bought my first Exhaust, Autoweekly et Rallyes Mag...

You started in 1999, directly with a rally national…

Oh yes, that's right! Bertrand Fassio asked me to do the reconnaissance with him, his co-driver wasn't available. In quotes, it was the best day of my life. We competed in a first rally (The Cigalois. Editor's note) with a 306 S16, it was quite exceptional, then a second (Fenouillèdes)