Long
since I started hillclimbing, I was watching videos on YouTube from all over
Europe and wishing as you do that one day it could be me hurtling up a mountain
road in something racey & exotic. Of all the videos I watched, there was
one name that came up time and again, and embedded itself firmly in my brain -
St Ursanne les Rangiers in Switzerland. There’s the iconic viaduct that you
drive under, les Grippons where the cars hurl themselves flat out through a
kink at faintly unbelievable speeds, the forest that throws corner after
unrelenting corner at you like a roller coaster and finally the hairpins that
give you that last minute test of nerves on your brakes. Frankly it has
everything, including a history that dates back to 1926, and once a year it
hosts a round of the FIA European Hillclimb Championship.
It all started over a
few drinks at Vuillafans when I realised that being the weekend before
Chamrousse I would only need to take two extra days holiday having already
booked the week off to go hiking in the mountains. Some friends pointed out
that (contrary to my understanding) I didn't need an international licence, and
before I knew it I had an amazing sponsor (Tectri SA) who kindly arranged my
entry! I booked my flight with Easyjet as usual and inked out a couple of extra
days on the holiday calendar at work when no one was looking, the rest was
simple. Thankfully I’ve found a
cunning solution to Herve’s engine trouble which works 90% of the time and
requires keeping the revs between 2,000 - 2,500, I was thankful as it’s a 4
hour drive from Lyon and all the garages I tried to book for the repair where
full or had some other excuse. I texted my friend Fabien en route who kindly
met me on arrival - driving under the viaduct was a surreal feeling as I just
couldn’t believe I was really here! I was joining Team Macracer for the weekend
and so we all went for meal that evening before I got a lift to my hotel, which
made pleasant change from the confines of the van...
We were looking at a
pretty mixed forecast for the weekend, rain was a certainty but at least I’d
had time to experience the car at the calmer speeds of Mont Dore the weekend
before. Indeed after the previous weekend at Mont Dore I was feeling less
rattled by the prospect of driving in the wet, albeit the speeds at St Ursanne
(5km) would be the some of the highest this season. We were parked next to a
large factory, some way from the start but with the protection of a large
covered area which would certainly make life easier. I set to prepping the car
and fitting the battery charger to overcome the issues from Mont Dore, before
getting ready to go and drive the hill on the scooter. I wasn’t relishing the
task as it was soaking wet outside, and as if by magic my friend kindly asked
if I’d prefer to use his 911 instead. ‘Of course that would be very nice, thank
you’ I said, and off we went. Although the scooter is better than nothing, I’m
quickly realising that it’s best used for zipping around the paddock - driving
the hills in a car makes a big difference to my ability to learn a line,
especially when you have an experienced racer sat with you. The forest part is
by far the hardest to master, if you come into a sector off line you loose a
lot of time - just search for David Hauser GP2 on YouTube and you’ll understand
what I’m talking about! 
That evening we all went
for a meal once more and it was a chance to meet the other members of the team,
which is really like a large family. It’s always a pleasure to be invited into
the fold and join a fun group like this, and we all had a great time even if I
did regret suggesting grappa as a digestif the next morning...
Saturday dawned bright
and dry, with a big entry the first cars were already making their way up the
hill at 7am while I was still comfy in my bed. I was nervous and had the
butterflies flapping in my stomach as I lined up in pre grille. Seeing cars in
the metal that morning that I’d seen countless times on the internet (Bruno
Ianello, Simone Fagiolli, David Hauser) felt a little like walking on to a film
set, I was a little starstruck to be driving alongside them but thankfully the
support provided by the Macracer machanics (Killian & Loic) helped me to
relax and focus on my driving. Having our own chef on hand to cook an
incredible Paella at lunch was fantastic, and an endless supply of expressos
helped ward off any fatigue from the fact that I eaten twice my normal raceday
calorie intake.
This first run would be
my only dry one of the weekend, I nearly took Les Grippons flat but slowed a
lot through the forest as I tried to pick out the markers from Friday. Still a
time of 2:23 wasn’t bad for a first run, as shortly after wards the showers
started. Faced with a minimum 30 minute wait between the moment you leave your
pits and start your run, it can be tricky to pick the correct tyres for the conditions.
I was feeling quite gung-ho and was opting for slicks as most of the tarmac in
the pits had dried out, but my mechanics were advising full wets so I took
their advice which proved to be wise as the forest was soaking and the road
beyond it even more so. My gearbox jammed momentarily and I ended up in 6th at
one point, then I thought I was going straight on the first hairpin due to the
amount of water on the track! It’s a scary hill to drive quickly, the first
part through the garage is really fast as you fly between the railings and
rocks, before you open up not the straight. Here you’re flat in 6th for what
feels like forever before you peel into Les Grippons, lifting as little as you
dare in the wet. The feeling of relief when you exit the forest is immediate as
you know that the scariest and potentially most dangerous parts are now behind
you.
Third practice went well
in the wet once more, if a little slower than I’d hoped, but instead I focused
on learning the line through the forest and making sure I clipped all the right
turn in points. In some respects the rain actually helped here as I was running
at a slower speed and hence had more time to place the car in the right spot.
The exact nature of the weather for Sunday was unknown, rain was going to be an issue but how much and when was anyone’s guess. I was a little tired but eager to get going as the morning was dry, although all hopes of a banzai run on slicks were soon dashed as the heavens opened. At least I knew there was no risk of choosing the wrong tyres, but my main problem was my visor fogging up off the line with rain pouring everywhere, and tackling the Garage at speed is like threading a needle - I had to back off a little before the fog cleared and I know it cost me time. I was offline leaving the forest at the big left and then too eager to get on the gas leaving the second hairpin, running wide. But even so 2:35 wasn’t too shoddy, and put me 12th in a class of 25 and 3rd Formula Renault.
By the time I came to
the second run I really had the bit between my teeth - the rain had stopped
meaning that I had clear vision and I was really finding my rhythm. In fact the
whole weekend I felt in top shape, and this is the first time since the crash
that I’ve really driven the car without any doubts in the back of my mind
telling me to slow down and be careful. Once again this weekend proved to me
the difference it can make having the support of a team behind you, and I’m
convinced that this is crucial to building my ability to focus as a driver next
season. Having the guys with me at the line adds something too - it just gives
you an edge to push even harder, perhaps there’s a feeling of not wanting to
let them down when they are all working to get the best out of you too. Either
way I drove my socks off on that run, the car just sliding a bit through les
Grippons which was pretty intense, but when I crossed the line I knew that
there was nothing else I could have done to go any quicker. Sadly I forgot to
charge the camera battery overnight so I only captured action from Saturday,
but I stopped the clock at 2:25 - holding on to my position and also taking
fastest lady, finishing 46 overall out 182 drivers. Jean-Jacques Maitre and
Fabien Bouduban also took superb results finishing 1st & 2nd in their class
(E2 Sportscars up to 2ltr) respectively, making a perfect weekend for all
drivers in Team Macracer!
To be stood on the top
of the podium later that evening, holding a trophy & bouquet of flowers was
such an incredible feeling, and one that will keep me smiling for a very long
time. I was interviewed in the paddock for Mobil 1 Grid TV and when
asked what my hopes were for the weekend I think I just said to finish above
bottom in class and not damage the car given the high speed and difficult
conditions at such an impressive course. So you can imagine that I was just
ecstatic to have the best result of my season, and I guess it just shows what a
happy & well prepared driver can do - I can't thank Tectri SA and Macracer
enough for an unforgettable weekend!
The next day I checked
out of my hotel, rather jaded following an evening of celebration involving
more grappa (like a moth to a flame) and champagne. Just when I thought life couldn’t really get any better and I’d already had my full quota of good times,
my friend picked me up in his Gallardo Super Trofeo and lent the keys to go
drive the course and surrounding mountain roads. I’ve always longed to drive a
V10 as the engine note is something that makes me grin like a child, and sure
enough I was doing just that as the angry exhaust note shrieked back at me from
rock faces and tunnels. I left Switzerland with some incredible memories and
high hopes for Chamrousse, where I’ll be spending the week climbing mountains
prior to the penultimate round of the season - based in a ski resort it should
another spectacular event!
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