Lamera Cup – Jean-François Blanchard gets a taste for it

The man's freshness at the end of a relay, his silhouette and emaciated features testify to his impeccable physical condition. This is confirmed by Jean-François Blanchard. "I do cross-fit five days a week," he tells us. In the motorsports department, however, the dashing fifty-something had never worn a helmet in his life – with the exception of a few laps in karting renting (almost) like everyone else. "My only connection to these disciplines is a job as a team manager within a motorcycle endurance team. But my role was limited to logistics and administration. I've never ridden a bike in a race." So how did this man, whose company builds turnkey dealerships for the BMW-Mini network, end up pounding the pavement of Jarama in a fireproof suit?

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"By chance ", he smiled.In fact, I own a BMW M4 with which I occasionally participate in track days. One day, while I was in the pouring rain at Magny-Cours, enjoying my Bavarian rear-wheel drive car whose electronic driving aids I had disconnected, the bosses of the GDM team saw me at work. Apparently, they liked my style. They told me about this Lamera, which I knew nothing about. For the race in Dijon, a few months later, they were missing a driver and contacted me. That weekend went very well in Pro-Am. The other two drivers appreciated my work. So I decided to sign up for the 2025 season. Magny-Cours, the opening weekend of the Lamera Cup, did not smile too much on the crew of the 79. This Saturday, however, the trio climbed onto the podium in the category during the first round.

“This is only my second full meeting in this environment.”, analyzes Jean-François Blanchard. I consider myself the long-distance runner of the team. I am delighted to have discovered this world. I was looking for a discipline to practice with friends, I am delighted. There is a very good atmosphere in our team. We interact a lot with the other members of the team.