Youth Rally for Quentin Gilbert

Becoming a “flying” rather than a detection operation in its new formula, the FFSA Youth Rally Final was won by Quentin Gilbert from Vosges. He will participate in the Volant Peugeot 207 next season.

Published on 30/01/2010 à 11:26

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Nicolas Bernardi, Alexandre Bengué, Bryan Bouffier, Denis Millet, Sébastien Ogier? The list of winners Rally Young FFSAs to have experienced other successes at higher levels is impressive.

In its new format, Rallye Jeunes FFSA is open to licensees aged 18 to 25 and co-opted by the Regional Committees. Among the 67 candidates in the final, a few names stood out like Mathieu Arzeno, whose results in the Clio R3 last season left their mark, or Germain Bonnefis, second in the 207 Volant 2009?

At the end of the first day of tests, eight candidates were selected for the final day of selection: Sébastien Chédozeau, Damien Defert, Jonathan Fritsch, Quentin Gilbert, Thomas Leboube, Maxime Paulin, Pierre-Alexandre Perrin and Xavier Villepreux.

Invited to a battery of timed tests throughout the day on Friday, the group thus formed then took control of Peugeot 207 RC in racing configuration. At the end of the final session on the Gard circuit, Quentin Gilbert was named the winner.

“It’s the happiest day of my life,” comments the new FFSA Youth Rally driver. “Never, even though I just started in 2008, did I expect to experience such joy. I had always been immersed in the world of rallying, especially through my father who himself raced. Needless to say, I dreamed of this victory! I was already a finalist last year but this year, I really came to win. Mission accomplished ! I dared to let go during this final. This is what undoubtedly made the difference compared to my opponents and especially compared to my performances in the last final. In addition, I really felt very comfortable behind the wheel of the 207 RC. Now, I will continue to learn during the 2010 season by listening as much as possible to the advice of the management around me. »

Quentin Gilbert will sit in the seat of a Peugeot 207 RC for the Volant 207. Throughout the 2010 season, the Vosgien will benefit from the sporting supervision put in place by Peugeot Sport and technical assistance provided by the Lycée Roger Claustres in Clermont-Ferrand.

The substitute is Damien Defert, 20 years old.