As the RallyX championship gets underway again this weekend at Finland’s Kymiring circuit, Julien Meunier approaches the challenge with clear determination and optimism.
Despite expectations to perform well last month in Riga—on a track that, on paper, closely resembles the kind typically found in the French Rallycross championship—the OMSE driver saw his run of four consecutive podium finishes come to an abrupt end in Latvia, following strong performances in Montalegre and Valkenswaard.
“This championship really is a bit of a paradox,” Meunier smiles.
“In truth, I tend to do better on tracks where I don’t expect to be competitive. Meanwhile, on a circuit like Riga—where I thought I’d be totally in my element—things just didn’t go as planned. I’m even starting to feel more comfortable on gravel-based circuits than on tarmac. Honestly, that doesn’t bother me too much, since RallyX really rewards drivers who are strong on loose surfaces. That said, on paper, Kymiring isn’t the kind of track that should suit me. Will it work out anyway? I guess we’ll find out,” he laughs.
Kymiring is shaping up to be a demanding course—one that stays true to the original DNA of rallycross.
“We’re getting back to the roots of rallycross here, with a real emphasis on dirt,” Meunier explains.
“This track reminds me of the World RX layouts from the Hockenheim days, with those asphalt curves. But what really sets Kymiring apart is that the most technical sections are actually on dirt, not tarmac. And that makes car setup tricky. You can’t focus too much on one surface at the expense of the other. The best approach is to go for a neutral setup and then rely on the driver to make the difference by adapting in the areas where the car isn’t ideal.”
One thing is certain: the Finnish circuit is likely to deliver its share of surprises.
“Drivers in the early heats will probably have more chances to overtake, but I expect the dirt sections to change a lot as the sessions progress. The surface will rut up, and loose soil will get pushed out to the edges. Like in Montalegre, a single optimal racing line will probably emerge. That said, the asphalt sections—like the first corner—will offer multiple lines, which could open up opportunities. And then there’s the joker lap, which could be a key factor if you want to make up ground.”
Since Riga, Meunier has been competing in a different Supercar Lites model than the one he used in Montalegre and Valkenswaard. Understandably, he’s hoping for a smoother weekend than the one he endured in Latvia.
“It took some time to get back into the rhythm with the new car, but that was largely down to the logistical mess we faced ahead of the event. Our first flight was delayed, which made us miss our connection in Warsaw. We had no choice but to drive to Riga. In the end, we arrived just an hour before the start of Friday morning’s free practice session.”
“Clearly, that wasn’t the best way to start a race weekend, and the fatigue really took a toll. We struggled with the car setup, but that was more due to exhaustion than any real issue with the car itself.”
In that context, returning to a circuit as unconventional as Kymiring offers both a technical challenge and a psychological opportunity to bounce back. And if recent RallyX history has taught us anything, it’s that Julien Meunier has a knack for shining when no one expects it.