Manu Guigou: “On the attack! »

What assessment do you draw from this first half of the season?
“I can only be completely satisfied!” It?s quite unexpected to occupy first place in the French Rally Championship after four events. To be completely honest, I wasn't hoping to be so well placed mid-season but the Clio R3 Maxi and the Chazel team were perfect! »

How do you explain these results?
?Performance and reliability have been our two strong points since the start of the year. We have always won the R3 category while fighting at the front. At the time, I was a little disappointed by our tenth position at the finish of the Rally Lyon-Charbonnières even if we couldn't have done much better. The scratch podium at Alsace-Vosges then fifth place in Limousin and fourth place in Rouergue are more than satisfactory results. »

What have been your strong points since the start of the season?
“The 2009 engine development made to the Clio R3 Maxi helped us greatly. With 250 horsepower, we can get closer to more powerful cars and move up the hierarchy. The Clio R3 Maxi remains a very easy car to drive. In difficult conditions, it is a formidable weapon. I also benefit from the experience of several years in the French Terrestrial Rally Championship which allows me to feel a little more comfortable in difficult conditions. Ultimately, the Lyon-Charbonnières Rally was perhaps too easy this year to allow us to compete with the other categories…”

Is there a moment that stood out to you?
“When we took the lead in the French Championship by getting on the podium of the Alsace-Vosges Rally? It was a great moment. The impact of this result also made me realize the strong media coverage of the discipline and the asphalt championship. We have received many requests. »

How are you approaching the rest of the season?
“After starting at a very high pace with three events in less than six weeks, the calendar is now much more open. It's been almost two months since I last drove the Clio R3 Maxi. I can't wait to get back behind the wheel. The strategy will not evolve. Since the first special of the Rallye Lyon-Charbonnières, David Marty and I have been on the attack in each special. We will continue like this until the end while thinking about the championship! »

The next event will take place in Morzine next week. What will be your ambitions on these mountain roads?
“This is not the most favorable rally for the Clio. There are often endless climbs without necessarily as many descents. It will be necessary to adopt circuit-style driving, which is very clean. I fear that this event will look a little too much like the Lyon-Charbonnières Rally. I would not be against difficult weather conditions. I participated in this event only once and without reaching the finish. From this year's program, I don't know of any special events. I will undoubtedly suffer from this inexperience. In the race, we will not change our strategy: drive as much as possible. We will have to attack to score big points. Fortunately, the number of starters in the R3 category will be sufficient to allow us to score the maximum number of points. We won?t leave any on the way like at the Alsace-Vosges Rally? »