Patrick Rouillard: “What I like is the competition, the fight”

Patrick, let's start with your introduction!

I live in Buzet-sur-Tarn (Haute-Garonne) and am a member of the ASA du Vignoble Tarnais. After starting out as a mechanic, I went into business for myself in 1987 and managed my own garage for thirty-seven years. I handed over in 2024, but I don't like the word retired. (Smile) I have a 31-year-old son, Nicolas, and an 18-month-old grandson. It's nothing but happiness.

How did your passion for motorsport begin?

It's quite incomprehensible! I come from a small village in Vienne, I had no reason to be interested in it, no one in my family did it. When I was little, I was always attracted to cars. At school, I bought my first Exhaust with the money my grandmother gave me.

This has changed a lot since you passed on your passion to your son...

Nicolas was born in it. When he was a month old, I won the rally from Montastruc. The photo that appeared in the newspaper is the one where I give him the bottle at the finish! He spent his childhood in the garage when I was preparing my racing cars. It's nice to share such a passion. Two years ago, we did the Rouergue, both of us at the wheel of a Skoda, a highlight in a life.

You started racing in 1989. Tell us about it!

I couldn't afford to race. I bought a stock R8 Gordini, then a Alpine