What is your pilot's background?
Jean-Louis (Father)
Since he was 14 or 15 years old, Jean-Louis has been passionate about car racing. It’s a passion he shares with his family, especially with his son Frédéric. These days, he no longer participates in "just" the Rangiers; instead, he takes part in various Slowly races (non-timed). He no longer wants the pressure of time. "As we age, we kind of settle down," he laughs. Before having his children, the Fleury couple traveled around Switzerland and Europe, participating in 30 races a year!
Frédéric (Son)
Since he was very young, Frédéric has followed his father everywhere! His mother, Grety, smiles as she remembers seeing him as a child at the pit stops with the pamirs (race suits) hanging down his neck. It was only natural for him to end up behind the wheel himself. Grety, who has also closely followed her husband and then her son many times, says that for them, vacations are all about racing! She notes that she prefers to know he is in the garage rather than elsewhere getting into "mischief." After more than 10 years of racing, Fred has now taken on the challenge of rallying for the past 3 years. The appeal of new experiences is strong for him, and we might see him on the track sometime soon. However, he doesn’t have a preference between racing and rallying, as they are different in nature. In Rangiers racing, times are measured to the hundredth or even thousandth of a second, while in rallying, it’s all about the overall distance.
What does the Saint-Ursanne-Les Rangiers race represent for you?
Jean-Louis (Father)
Next year, the Rangiers will represent half of my life! I’ll be 70 years old and it will be my 35th race. He has been racing there since 1976, including with Formula cars but not exclusively; last year he was there with the Ascona. If the weather allows, he might come back this year with a completely new Formula car.
Frédéric (Son)
A lot of memories and pleasure, an unusual ascent filled with emotions!
What is the highlight?
Jean-Louis (Father)
"It's THE race!" he says with a lot of emotion. He knows that there’s no room for mistakes, but you can’t think about that before starting, or else… you won’t start at all! Even after all these years, the last climb is still just as thrilling! Crossing the finish line brings a rush of emotions, the pressure eases, and you think, "Wow! I made it!" with a tear of pride and joy. He adds with a laugh that he didn’t understand why his mother used to worry so much when he was racing, but now that Fred is doing it too, he gets it! And his wife won’t say otherwise; the loved ones of drivers hold their breath at every interruption and only breathe out once the finish line is crossed.
Frédéric (Son)
"The Rangiers is ours," he says with a smile. It’s the fastest, and as a driver, you know you can’t afford any mistakes. It feels like home.
What advice would you give to an opponent?
Jean-Louis (Father)
For a competitor: Go slower than me! Ease up a bit.
For a novice: Be careful; if you mess up, it’s very fast. Take it easy the first time, and then you can push harder next time.
Frédéric (Son)
For a competitor: Go full throttle out of the forest!
For a novice: Don’t overdrive at the Rangiers! Otherwise, it’s game over… Be as straight as possible when braking at the top, and for the rest, go with your instincts.