Croatia: Mattéo Chatillon: “It’s a great challenge to take on”

In the middle of the service park which has left its location near the center of Zagreb for a supermarket parking lot on the outskirts of the city, Mattéo Chatillon's Clio R3 appears alone. Rally3 is effectively monopolized by the Ford Fiestas and that makes Mattéo smile. “ At least this will allow us to measure ourselves against this competition, he projects. We lack benchmarks compared to the Fords, but I think there are certain drivers who are going very fast. » This was also the case in Monte-Carlo. While learning to drive, he led the category to the foot of the Col de Turini. In this final ascent, he had given up his first place. “ We were not entered in WRC3 at Monte-Carlo, but our result (2^e) made us do it, he says. I'm really enjoying being in Croatia even though it's going to be very complicated because we have to discover everything. We carried out reconnaissance in the sun the first day then we had rain during the 2^e daytime. This made me realize how little grip there is on these roads. It was so bad that I damaged my rental car. I can't yet say if it's a route that I like or not. It's magnificent, but to say that I like it... is impossible, because I'm not 100% confident. What I find great, however, is to have the chance to embark on this adventure. »

Vice-champion of the Clio Trophy France Terre in 2023, the Châtelleraudais does not really know what to expect from this round. “ This is unlike any of the challenges we have in Francehe insists. There is a lot more vertical, blind corners, skies where you have to send the car forward and the grip changes constantly. It works like a promotional formula and it is difficult for me to position myself. I am not yet assessing the pace at which we will be able to evolve during the 1^er turn when I lose my bearings. It’s a great challenge to take on. We will continue to learn and progress. We will finish this rally with suitcases full of experience. »

For this program which will then pass through Portugal and the Central Europe rally, Mattéo and Maxence can rely on the members of the ARL Sport team. Based in Poitier, the latter has excellent experience in promotional formulas. Together, there is the desire to learn from these participations while aiming for the best possible results in order to return with higher ambitions next year.