Thursday is dedicated to the registration, the free practices and the controlled practices. The Tires imposed for every driver are the LRP G36 which are strong with correct performances. The imposed tire additive is the LRP asphalt. This chosen additive does not procure a lot of grip to the tires on this asphalt; but it is necessary to make with, especially as everybody is on the equal footing. The free practices allow me to discover the track and especially the very low conditions of grip. The balance of my Team Magic is good but springs and hydraulics are not adapted.

After some favourable adjustment, the controlled practices start in purpose to determinate a re-classification to dispatch the drivers of same level in qualification groups. Driving in used tires, I abandon the idea to perform on 2 laps and I decide to make these runs like qualification runs to the constancy of me and my car over 5 minutes. The two runs are OK, the car is quite easy and steer round, with a bit of understeering. Contrary to all expectations I am classified 13th and first French of the reseeding. I am rather confident for the next day and hope for an improvement of 2 tenth by lap with new tires, so 3 seconds over 5 minutes.

On Fridays there is a practice before the 6 qualifications, it allows me to modify the setup of my Team Magic and to determine the setup for the qualis, I realize the 8th time on 2 laps, still with my tires of Thursday. The car is on the limit between comfort and performance, ideal to begin the qualifications. We all have 5 sets of fresh tires for 6 qualis.

My Q1 is done without mistake with a small slowing down in the last 3 laps to insure my place. Ronald Volker who observed the run congratulates me. I say to myself that it was probably not so bad and after the run of the series of Ronald and Bruno Coelho I am still 5th at 25 hundredth of the 3rd, Loïc Jasmin. I am over the moon! I hope to redo just at least once a run like that.

After Q3 I am always 4th in the general ranking behind Ronald, Bruno and Marc Rheinard, a kid’s dream (I know some are going to laugh at me but I assume, lol). Q4, I still do not touch the setup and I come down to the 5th place, Q5 I start with used tires and contrary to all expectations I have some grip and traction in the point to make wheeling and to roll over in the back turn of the straight line where a bump destabilize the cars.

Before the start of Q6, the A-finale is not still safe for me; we are 6 drivers with 2 points of gap only. I decide to start in new tires (I wanted to keep an extra train for the finales) and to modify slightly my setup by removing the anti-dive in my front arms. The car is of course easier, not faster but I am more consistent on 5 minutes and I realize my Q6. The most constant and thus the fastest of my qualis, even if 9 drivers are faster at this moment.

I am a little worried during marshalling of the last series and in the wait of the overall ranking. I am finally relieved when I discover that I would participate the Modified A-Main the next day by starting from the 9th place. I am also very satisfied for Loïc who joins finale A after Q6 and also disappointed for Cyril who stays in B-Main.

On Saturday, day of the finales, it is raining! Fortunately the rain stops fast to leave place to the sun and to a practice with a dry track, but with not much grip. I take advantage of this practice to try a harder differential and more camber gain on front. As result: I would have had to make it earlier, I regret it.

Finale 1, no anxiety nor of stress, I cannot believe it. During the call of the pilots in front of me, I can’t believe to be called with them! At 2 minutes of the end, I am 6th with a small advance on the following ones. Unfortunately, at 4 minutes 30 everything stops, the pinion decided to leave my motor.

The finales 2 and 3 are alike, I end twice 8th and thus to the 10th place overall, with nevertheless a good rhythm in the laps in all finales.