Rally France – Sylvain Michel attacks the Earth

Sylvain Michel is back in France. After trying his hand at the European Rally Championship (ERC) in 2017, the 26-year-old driver tackles the French Terrestrial Rally Championship as part of the 2C Compétition team on a Skoda Fabia R5.

The Savoyard is changing environment, having been known until now for his skills on the road, notably with a French Asphalt champion title won in 2016. “The off-season was long and the choice of sports program was slow to take shape. However, after the title in 2016 and the two ERC rallies last year, we knew that the move to gravel was necessary and that it was essential to be able to take a step forward. I don't want the label "asphalt driver"he says.

Sylvain Michel wants to become a driver who performs as well on tarmac as on dirt. “Today, versatility is the most important factor to be able to continue to climb. So it was the right time”, indicates the one who has only competed in one event on stony roads, in Portugal in JWRC in 2014.

No goals have been set for its discovery season. “Sportingly, I don't set too high goals for myself. I don't want to skip ahead and the Terre des Causses (Aveyron, March 30-April 1), the first round of the Championship, will be a full-scale testing session. After this rally, we will know more about our level. While keeping in mind that the goal is to learn and eat the miles! »