Making his first appearance in the Rallye des Vins Mâcon, Jeremie Serieys was aware of the need to take things step by step, the Herault driver finding the roads exceptionally fast in the first few stages.

“I tried to go as quickly as I could without taking risks,” he commented on the opening day. “I didn’t think they could be so fast.”

After ending day one in 25th place, Jeremie Serieys and Justine Quillet made a safe return to the service park, where they prepared for day two.

Growing in confidence as Saturday day wore on and buoyed by the improvements Renault Sport Technologies had made to the set-up of his Twingo R.S. R2 Evo, the reigning French Junior Rally champion found his rhythm and moved into the top 20, scoring an excellent ninth place in the second run from La Chapelle to Tournus. By the end of the event he had climbed to 13th overall, a superb effort from the young Frenchman.

“I’m very pleased I was able to respond to the challenge of competing in this rally for the first time,” he said afterwards. “I’ve never driven in the dry with the Twingo before and I could have gone even faster in the car. I grew in confidence with my notes and the car as the stages went by.”

Jeremie Serieys was also very satisfied with the performance of his Twingo R.S. R2 Evo: “The non-assisted braking system allowed me to control the pressure on the brakes more. I was braking later and more aggressively, which helped my cornering. I’m looking forward now to continuing my season at Le Rouergue. The Twingo R2 France drivers will be there and that will give me a yardstick.”