2023-11-13 19:53:00
You may cross his path next week, in Sainte-Maxime or in the Massif des Maures, on the verge of a special event. Winner of the last two editions of the Rallye du Var, Nicolas Ciamin will be a spectator this time. On foot, without the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 from the Sarrazin Motorsport team, yes, but with the satisfaction of a duty accomplished since the young Niçois (25 years old) and his co-driver friend Yannick Roche reached their number 1 target on October 29 in Germany. On the very challenging course of the Central European Rally, the Riviera standard-bearer of the French FFSA team managed to combine performance with consistency. Quite a feat allowing him to enter the top 10 overall (9th). And above all to win a WRC2 category that is much more competitive than this ultra-elitist top level where seats are rare… not to say expensive. Meeting at the turning point between assessment and perspectives.
Nicolas, compared to the victories previously obtained in the Junior WRC (1) and in the French championship (6), where does this first WRC2 success rank on your value scale?
In fact, I don’t consider it a victory because Fourmaux finished in front of us (8th overall in a Ford Fiesta, editor’s note). Adrien was not registered in WRC2, okay. The fact remains that we are ranked 2nd in the Rally2 category. Well, it was a very good race. This is my best result at this level since I had two 3rd places until then (Sardinia 2018, Monte-Carlo 2020). There was performance. In short, it will remain a great memory, but impossible to include it at the top.
As preparation, you competed in two races this fall: 4th in the Heart of France then 3rd in Austria. Were you worried before departure?
In Vendôme, we carried out a full-scale test session with Michelin tires, just to get a good handle on this new Fabia RS. Then, the Herbst Rallye was the opportunity to review the Pirelli range used in the Mondial. Instructive experience. Although I lacked a little practice with the tires, I still felt quite comfortable in the car. What worried me most was our departure order. On Friday, it was certain that we would have to compete on very dirty, degraded terrain.
What was the key to success?
Regularity, I think. It was so complicated. I have rarely been the fastest. We set two best times. We had to avoid the many pitfalls by keeping a steady pace. Some fell in, here and there. For our part, apart from a spin costing around fifteen seconds, nothing to report.
Constant grip changes… It seems that it looked like the Monte-Carlo Rally. You confirm?
Yeah, at times, except there was no snow. In these countries, the asphalt is smooth. Even dry, it slips a lot. So wet, I’ll let you imagine… Especially since you can cut corners almost anywhere. The passage of the ten Rally1s transforms the roadway into a construction site. It becomes nonsense!
Your compatriot Yohan Rossel, who went off the road on Friday morning in SS 3, declared that it was dangerous to race without ushers on such terrain. Agree with him?
Oh yes! I don’t understand why they are allowed in Rally1 and not in Rally2. For reasons of economy? Well, their absence does not significantly reduce the bill. If you break the car, the bill will be much higher in the end, believe me… At our level, ushers are only allowed in Monte-Carlo. One and only exception. There, this subject would still have merited a discussion, it seems to me.
A word about the Fabia RS: what is its strong point?
I find it all-purpose, quite versatile, effective. Not difficult to operate. On the engine side, the torque increases.
And what do you like least?
It lacks a bit of front end, all the time. Well especially in slow phases. And then I find that this is not a huge development compared to the previous one. In summary, she doesn’t excel anywhere…and she isn’t bad anywhere.
Will you be at the start of the Rallye du Var?
No because the 2023 budget is exhausted. I would have liked to try to win it a third time in a row, of course. Postponed. That the season ended in Germany on a very positive note suits me well.
Precisely, will this coup encourage the French Motor Sport Federation as well as your sponsors to move up a gear to move on to a full WRC2 program next year?
I hope because that’s the goal. At the Fed, I think they are happy with the result. But there is no certainty for the future. Will I stay in the French team? We’ll see. On the other hand, I know that our partners will continue to respond. The ambition is to compete in as many rounds as possible at the wheel of a Rally2. Why not a complete program (7 results taken into account for the WRC2 ranking)? If the budget does not allow it, you can also consider completing a dirt race or two aboard a Rally3.
Do you think you can play the title?
Um, playing for the WRC2 title doesn’t seem realistic to me. On earth, I don’t have the level yet. We never ride on dirt often enough, unfortunately. The desire is to fight up front on tarmac and progress quickly elsewhere.
Today, getting a seat in the premier category is an almost impossible mission for a young driver. How do you view this situation?
I find it catastrophic, even downright despairing. And I’m not the only one. When we see that the elevator door remains closed even for the WRC2 champion… There is reason to ask questions. That said, as long as I can continue on this path, I favor it. Because I love rallying more than anything. We remain hopeful. Perhaps the WRC promoters will finally find solutions and succeed in attracting other manufacturers. The discipline needs change. Quickly! In a year or two. Otherwise it will become very complicated.
Have you ever regretted your choice to branch out into rallies rather than persevering on the circuits?
Since 2020, come on, I think about it at least once a day! But straight away, I tell myself that I prefer to chase the clock on a road. On the circuit, I would have tried to head towards Endurance. I don’t know if I could have reached the top level. Look at the number of manufacturers who will line up in the world championship, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (8 in 2024). Fabulous! Opposite, the WRC really pales in comparison. Maybe I chose wrong, yes. What do you want? It’s passion that guides me!
For the final word, let’s talk about the next event, Monte-Carlo 2024, if all goes well: does the return to Gap warm your heart or leave you cold?
I hope we’ll be there, in fact. There are some very nice special stages in the Hautes-Alpes. More chance of encountering real winter conditions, too, even if we can’t let go too much in slippery places because of our unsuitable tires. The small downside, in my eyes, concerns the last special, the only one traced here (SS 17 serving as Power Stage). The Turini in hill racing version, from La Bollène to the top of the pass, I find it average. The other slope, towards Moulinet and Sospel, is much more interesting. I have never used it in competition. It’s a shame that the 2024 edition won’t be the opportunity to find out…
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