WRC – Quentin Gilbert takes on the Drive Dmack Fiesta Trophy

Quentin Gilbert is preparing to compete in the Rally of Portugal which will be the field to mark the debut of the Drive Dmack Fiesta Trophy. The Frenchman will drive a Fiesta R2 after starting the year with a Citroën DS3 R3 in Monte-Carlo which allowed him to be leader of the WRC3, before driving a Fiesta R5 in Mexico and a C4 WRC au Rally du Touquet ! The Vosges native, however, is not taking this Championship lightly since the champion will be able to compete in seven rounds of the WRC2 next year with a Fiesta R5.

However, the Rally Portugal will not be a cakewalk. The first difficulties began the day before with a flood which complicated note-taking. “The challenge is great. We will be on equal terms to obtain this reward”, comments Quentin Gilbert. “We discovered the car last week in Gard, for tests on fairly rough terrain, representative of what we had to face in Portugal. But, during the first day of reconnaissance, we drove under downpours of water. We were not able to complete all the stages and it was very difficult to take good notes. In addition to the fact that we don't know what state the special stages will be in, we risk rediscovering them as we go along. Fortunately, the fact that we competed in this rally last year should help us because we know most of the sectors. »

Accompanied by his co-driver Renaud Jamoul, Quentin Gilbert was able to get his bearings on the Fiesta R2 with which he should be very efficient given his experience at the wheel of more efficient cars. “We had a good feeling with the car during testing. The play on the settings is limited, the difference will therefore be made in terms of piloting, and our ability to adapt?, confirms the French pilot. “We will do the best we can, but we will not tempt the devil into terrain that will be full of traps, for what will be a survival race. We will also face adversity, with crews used to driving this type of car. Once we have the car well in hand, we can attack. But our primary objective in Portugal is to go to the end. »