[singlepic id=5783 w=320 h=240 float=left]French Rally Champion Emmanuel Guigou also known as “Manu” Guigou was present in Lebanon during the launching of the Davidoff rally team. The team led by Fadi Hammadeh and Ramy Menhem will be driving a Renault Clio R3 Maxi prepared by famous rally team Chazel. The team called upon Guigou who is an expert on the car to help in the setup and preparation. Guigou was also present in the test yesterday at Arjes and was happy with the performance of the car.
About Guigou
Emmanuel Guigou, was born on July 8, 1971 in Montpellier. He resides in Apt in the Vaucluse. Guigou made hir debut in 1994 as co-driver. Three years later Guigou became a professional racing driver.
In 1999 he won the Peugeot 106 Coupe on Asphalt. From 2002 and on he started participating on gravel driving a Citroen Saxo T4. The following year he won the French championship and gained promotion with to Renault Clio Super 1600 championship. After this success Manu drove only for Renault to become later on a factory driver. Later on he helped the French brand to finish first in the Belgian championship rallies in 2004 competing against manufacturers.
Guigou won more titles in 2008, 2009 and 2010 when he became the French champion for the front wheel drive category. In 2008 he finished second overall in the French rally championship.
Guigou has become brand ambassador for Renault, following in the footsteps of Jean Ragnotti , another famous driver from Vaucluse.
Interview
It’s a pleasure and an Honor to meet to have you here in Lebanon. Tell us a little about this visit.
I am here to assist Fadi Hammadeh who is a very good driver. I know this car very good, since I drove it for 4 years earlier on both gravel and Tarmac. I can help Fadi in fine tunning the car and the setup. I will also be present on Wednesday to check out the stages. I will be inspecting where they are slippery where they are grippier and I will be checking their characteristics closely.
I believe there is no rain but you cannot predict.
We know that you have won many events on the R3 car, and this car is already doing great in the championship there. How do you see it compared with other categories and model?
At the beginning of the French championship in 2008 the car was finishing behind especially on the gravel but at the end of the year[singlepic id=5787 w=320 h=240 float=right] we were able to take the car to second place overall. It is a very good car in general, and if the tarmac is not very slippery the car will be great.
So how does it compare with group N and S2000 cars?
For sure it cannot compete with an S2000 car. Such cars are very fast. With group N cars and with my experience I think it should be better but this depends on the driver and the road characteristics.
If there is a really good driver and the car is really fined tuned it can beat a group N car.
What do you about Lebanon and rallying here?
I am really pleased to be here. It was Raouf Menhem who called me and I appreciate it. I will do my best to help Fadi.
Do you know anything about the Rally of Lebanon itself and the rally drivers here?
[singlepic id=5789 w=320 h=240 float=left]When I was young I learned and read a lot about this rally especially in magazines. I know that this is really a big rally and I am really glad I am here. I wish that next time I come here I will be driving.
Do you have any WRC or IRC plans for the future?
Well not for 2012. Next year I have a contract with Renault. I will be driving a Renault Megane, which I consider a good car. In the first 5 events this year, the car won all the races ahead of both Mitsubishis and Subarus in the group N category. This car can also be great here in Lebanon, since the rally is done on Tarmac.
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