What is your assessment of the World Series by Renault’s first season?
“It really has exceeded all expectations. We never dreamt for a second that we average 90,000 spectators per meeting. The concept is obviously a good one. Thanks to the efforts of the Renault dealership network, the public flocked to the circuits in every country. The World Series thus created a special atmosphere at the circuits, a popular enthusiasm that is somewhat reminiscent of the Tour de France.”

Which drivers impressed you most?
“I think that what struck me most was that you didn’t always see the same drivers on the podium. Obviously, Kubica is the man of the year. And although Heylen dominated the Mégane Trophy, I was highly impressed by Badey’s end-ofseason form. It’s satisfying to see young drivers coming through outside of the single-seater categories.”

What else is in store for 2006?
“I saw how much we progressed between Zolder and Monza. This season’s experience will help us to improve the  organization even more next year. We will certainly need to make sure we update the attractions. And we’ll be venturing beyond Europe’s borders, to Turkey, which promises to be a very special occasion if, as expected, the people of Istanbul turn out in big numbers.”

In the world of rallying, Clio Super 1600 continued its sparkling career.
“Yes, the Clio is still right up there with cars that are constantly improving. It is a reliable, high-performance car. Rally people know it. Good teams and drivers have chosen the Clio and have built up a large collection of trophies. I am sure that the car will still be competitive in 2006.” 

And for Renault, rallying is about more than just the Super 1600.
“Exactly, the Clio Cup Rall y has provided some exciting rallying this year. Just like last year, it all came down to the last rally of the season. We’ll see how young Augoyard manages with a Super 1600 and let’s not forget about the Clio Group N, which gives hundreds of amateur drivers the opportunity to show off their talent.” 

Product-wise, what can you tell us about the New Clio Renault Sport?
"It will be unveiled in March at the Geneva Motor Show. I think it will become a leading car in the small sports car market, particularly thanks to its road-holding, the design, the ergonomics of its interior and its safety features. Getting into it for the first time was one of the highlights of the year for me.”

The production version was developed at the same time as the racing version…
“That’s what Renault Sport Technologies is all about, our raison d’être. We make production models with the skill and attention to detail of craftsmen and we apply industrial values to the manufacture of racing cars. Our design  office is there to manage the common ground between the two domains. We made use of features taken from the racing version on the production model. Likewise, we used all of our racing expertise on the New Clio Cup. In both domains the guiding principle was accessibility, be it for an amateur enthusiast or a professional driver.”

Would you say that accessibility is a term that describes the Renault Sport Enthusiast Days?
“This test year has been a resounding success. Almost 500 people have visited the Alpine-Renault plant, been given driving tuition or taken part in the track days. The days are a practical, responsible response to road safety  issues. 2006 will see these days go from strength to strength. Aside from the other benefits, these days provide us with an opportunity to hear our customers views.” 

What are your hopes and expectations for 2006?
“We hope that our customers will like New Clio Renault Sport, in which we have invested a lot of time and energy. I also hope that the World Series will continue to be as popular as it was this year, proving that something new has established itself as a name in the world of motorsport.”