Chief Rally Engineer, Pierre Genon tells us...
The World Rally Championship's 'off-season' runs from mid-November to mid-January. People assume it's time for team members to take some holiday, look back over the previous season and join in on some Christmas cheer, however the time is in fact no less busy than the rest of the year. We caught up with Subaru World Rally Team Chief Rally Engineer Pierre Genon on his return from Australia to find out what happens between the finish of the 2005 Rally Australia and the start of the 2006 Rally Monte Carlo.
When did you get back from Australia?
I left Perth on Monday afternoon and arrived back in the UK early Tuesday morning. I was back in the office on Wednesday!
Right back into it then.what do you work on in this period between the end of one season and the start of another?
I've been quite busy since I got back from Australia. I've been liaising with the FIA over the new 2006 technical and sporting regulations and preparing for meetings. At this stage there is a lot of paperwork as we make sure everything satisfies the new rules and regs. I've also spent a fair bit of time looking at the new car, which needs to be homologated by the FIA in December. I'm responsible for making sure that everything is ready for its inspection, after which hopefully we'll have the final sign-off and approval for the 2006 car.
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A lot of planning for the coming season then.
Yes, exactly. We have some tests planned in December and January, which will be a mix of development and event testing. Until now the new car has mostly been in the hands of the test team, however these coming tests will be the overlap between the testing crew and the events team. At this point we'll fine-tune any issues and focus on the specific challenges of Monte Carlo and Sweden, which are unique on the calendar. It will also be the first time on asphalt for the new car, so we'll have a close look at its performance.
But the 2006 car isn't the only aspect you look at?
No, we also test the tyres and work closely with Pirelli to decide our tyre selection for coming events. We have to select the tyre three to four months in advance, so we're already having discussions about Mexico.
I'm actually planning a trip to Mexico in the New Year to look at some of the new stages - a good way to start 2006! I liaise with Pirelli to make sure that everything goes smoothly, schedule the tests and timings - it takes quite a bit of planning to make sure it's done properly. In addition to working on the car, I'll also look at the engineering team and make sure we're working efficiently and effectively with the team members we've got.
How have the new regulations affected your normal working routine?
We've had a few new things to think about - it's not necessarily more work, it's just different. For example there are big changes to the rules for transmissions, so we've had to have a close look at this. The test we have in December will be a good opportunity to test these new parts and try and find our feet with them.
Sounds like a busy time.
As there is a gap between seasons everyone tries to take some holiday, which means you try and squeeze more into a small time! Hopefully between all the testing, homologation meetings, recces of new stages etc I will get some time off, however the start of the new year is no less hectic as January is always a busy month. If everything with the new car is going well, in theory by March or April next year I should have more free time, however there's always a new development to consider, a new evolution to test or other ideas going around in my head about how we can improve things, so we'll have to see.!
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2006
2005
