Sardinia: Nicolas Ciamin: “I’m going to target a few special stages”

How are you going to prepare this rally from Sardinia?

After Croatia, I didn't do anything in particular for a few days before starting the exercises again. There is a chance that the event will take place in the heat and it was important to be physically fit. Concerning the car, we had a run in Sardinia on an interesting basis since it was an old section of the special. Our test route was 10 km so it was representative. I'm happy with what we did. There will then be the shakedown on Friday for a final check.

Will your car receive any upgrades in Italy?

No, that's not planned. For me, there will still be a big difference with the definition that I used in Safari. Given that it will not have a bull bar and that there will not be a lot of spare parts in the passenger compartment, the Hyundai will be lighter. In addition to being lower, it will have, as in Croatia, the latest version of the engine which will help me to run it. The altitude will also not affect the power. All this should give Yannick (Roche, his co-driver) and me a Rally2 which should be more fun to drive.

What is your experience in Sardinia?

This is the world event in which I have participated the most. This will be my 6^e departure to the island. It's a round that I know very well and that I appreciate. This year, the organizers have chosen fairly narrow and slow stages. Compared to my last race on land, there will necessarily be another approach, because there was still 100 km more in Kenya. The format change shouldn't have too much impact. You just have to get into the rhythm straight away.

What will be your objective in Alghero?

We know that we will not be able to play for victory. My goal is to continue to gain experience on land. I appreciate that Teemu Suninen and Emil Lindholm are there, because it will allow me to gauge myself on this surface. Our cars are identical, so it's the driving that will make the difference. I hope to achieve progress in my times by reducing the gaps per kilometer. I'm going to target a few special stages to push a little more in these.