We have already met Christophe Bernard and Stéphane Paulus during the presentation of the film “Roll to live”. A strong moment, very strong, the will of these young men is so impressive. Doubt and pain too.
It is therefore with great pleasure and immense respect that we publish here their press release, barely revised, recounting their fantastic experience during the first participation of a 100% “handy” crew among the able-bodied, at the occasion of the 4 hours of the Robert Doron trophy on the Carole circuit.
RESPECT!.
“Disability” is the story of 2 friends with a disability (one with an amputated left leg and a brachial plexus in his left arm (Christophe Bernard), the other a paraplegic (Stéphane Paulus) who The challenge is launched to participate in an Endurance event among the able-bodied.
In 2018, I, Stéphane Paulus, I already had this project with a certain François Etterlé (former Suzuki France sales director). Project aborted, before it even saw the light of day, because at that time, it was unthinkable that a driver with a disability would line up at the start of a race among the able-bodied.
Each year, I never gave up by approaching the FFM with new arguments in our favor, but I always received these same refusals.
In 2021, during an exchange with Patrick Coutant, director of the speed commission, I feel that the tone is changing and that a breach is opening, he asks me to propose a regulation to him in order to think about it. payment which I will submit a few days later.
At the start of 2022, we have the green lights for a disabled driver to take part in an endurance race. This will be our pilot Benoit Thibal, who will stick to it, solid leader of the French PMR CUP championship, and in the leading trio of the European Bridgestone Cup championship.
He registered for a round of the French endurance championship on the Val de Vienne circuit in Vigeant at the beginning of August. After very promising qualifying tests, 5th time out of around forty bikes on the track, in the race unfortunately he was unable to finish, 2 falls during the race stopped him in his progress.
It's September 2022, during a call with Christophe Bernard that we asked ourselves the question and said to ourselves that it would be nice to do a little race, before our final of the European Championship in Jerez in mid-October.
Christophe said to me “Ewe did the endurance of the Robert Doron trophy ? », 4-hour American-style endurance, each on their own motorbike. I said to him “Ah yes, you're hot you ! », because the Carole circuit is one of the most physical circuits in France.
Once the authorizations have been given by the authorities, we make our commitments and form a team with our loyal friends. Beforehand, we went for a few days of driving on the Parisian circuit, because the challenge is not the least, and our objective was to pass the checkerboard.
During qualifying, Christophe achieves a time of 1'08'651 with his Yamaha R6, and I achieve 1'06'078 with my Suzuki GSXR 1000. Combined with the 2 times, we achieve 9e time out of 17 crews entered. A first victory, we are not last.
For the start, I will start from the pit lane in last position, because we need assistance to keep the bike stationary.
The start is a soaked track following the showers of the night, my first stint of 30 laps ends under Safety Car, moving up to 7th position. Christophe remains stuck in the pit lane for 2 laps while the Safety Car returns.
He will start again in 11th position for a 30-lap stint. As the morning progresses, the track will dry and we will finish the race on a dry track. Consistent in our times, an efficient team during our refueling, we will move up the places to 8th position. Christophe will do a final stint of 40 laps to cross the checkerboard in an honorable 8th place out of 17 crews.
We are extremely happy to have completed this first endurance with our 100% handy crew among the able-bodied, a great world first.
180 laps in 4 hours, 3 stints each in all possible track conditions. A smooth race with very regular times of 1'08 for Stéphane and 1'10 for Christophe.
Stéphane
