Fresh off a standout debut in Supercar, Julien Meunier made an instant impact last weekend by claiming third place at the Châteauroux round of the French Rallycross Championship. A result that underscores just how much his involvement in the RallyX series has helped elevate his game to a whole new level.
The recent KymiRing winner is quick to highlight how his Supercar Lites program has forced him to adopt a different mindset and work ethic.
“RallyX and Supercar Lites have been a huge boost in my development. You race twice in one weekend, so consistency is everything. Even though the Lites grid isn’t massive, the gaps are tight, and the smallest mistake can cost you big. Supercar Lites taught me to drive clean, and that’s exactly what I did on day two at Châteauroux — I held back a bit and focused on precision.”
“In RallyX, by Sunday, everyone’s fast, so you have to chase the fine margins. The fact that we race so often also plays a big part. You never stop driving, which means you gain experience much faster than in the French championship.”
Meunier’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed — especially considering how quietly he entered the sport.
“When I started out in rallycross, no one really expected much from me. I think I’ve shown now that I can be competitive right out of the gate in a new category. I’m still young, but I’ve built up quite a bit of experience, and maybe the way other drivers see me is starting to change.”
And the Supercar transition continues. In just a few days, another Supercar Lites driver will make his own debut at the top level. This time, it’s Lukas Andersson’s turn to step up — and he’ll be doing so on one of the biggest stages of all: Höljes, for round two of the Euro RX1 series.
“It’s great for Lukas to have the chance to race a Supercar at Höljes. It’s going to be a huge experience for him, and I’m sure we’ll be talking about it a lot this weekend.”
The JC Raceteknik driver is already feeling the buzz of his first appearance on the FIA stage. At just 17, the young Swede will be behind the wheel of the very same Ford Fiesta SET Promotion car that took Anton Marklund to the European title in 2023.
“This will be the greatest moment of my motorsport life — maybe even the greatest moment of my life, period. Words can’t express how grateful I am to everyone who believed in me and helped make this happen. Racing at Höljes, at the Magic Weekend, in a Supercar [RX1] — it’s the dream of every rallycross driver.”
Despite the excitement, Andersson remains grounded, fully aware of the steep challenge ahead.
“Anton [Marklund] had great success with this car in 2023, and I already have a really good feeling in it. This is an incredible opportunity. I’m not putting any pressure on myself — I’ve only had a few laps in an RX1, and the level is extremely high. My goal is simple: have fun and learn as much as possible. Just making it into the final would be a huge result for me.”
Adding to the occasion is the fact that he’ll be racing in front of a home crowd.
“To race on such an iconic track, in my own country, and to share this weekend with my family and supporters — that’s going to be really special.”