Guest blog by Thiemo Albers-Daly
Cyrielle Delorme is a French Rally Co-Driver who grew up around motorsport. It doesn’t come as much of a surprise then that she would one day go down the racing route herself and begin competing along with the rest of her family in their team – Delorme Racing.
We caught up recently to chat about what this family dynamic in racing is like, what it was like to go racing for the very first time, how 2024 is going so far for her, what she likes to do when she’s not racing and much more.
I hope you enjoy our conversation.
******************************************************************************
What first got you interested in motorsport?
I grew up in a family passionate about motorsport. My father, who has been an amateur rally driver since the 1980s, always took me and my brothers to races to encourage him.
Why did you want to become a rally co-driver?
My father gave us the “bug.” My brother Alexis started as a Co-Driver next to him when he was 19. My second brother, Francis, also co-drove for him before having his own car and so it was me who was the last to follow. I also started in the right seat next to my Dad and I was immediately hooked. I am now a co-driver with my brother Francis in a PEUGEOT 208 R2.
You race with Delorme Racing, how and when did you join the team?
This Team is made up of all the members of my family: my Dad, my brothers and me. We are a crew of amateur enthusiasts. It’s our friends who help us during the assistance and it’s all very friendly.
Tell me about your very first race.
I started as a co-driver alongside my Dad in 2016, at the age of 18. It was a small regional rally near my home, the “Haute Vallée de la Loire”. This race was very emotional because we finished 3rd overall, my first rally, first podium, it was incredible!
How has 2024 been going for you so far?
2024 is off to a great start! I took part in events that I had never done before, and in crazy cars. The latest was the “Ronde de la Giraglia” in Corsica alongside my friend Tony Ribaudo, in a PORSCHE 997 GT+. The roads were magnificent, the locals were very welcoming, and it was an unforgettable week. As a bonus we obtained victory in our category!
The year is far from over, there are still some great new projects to come…
What are your plans and ambitions for the future?
Every year we try to move up a step. We participate in bigger rallies, drive for more kilometers, become more technical and want to take on new challenges to learn and to improve. We want to continue with this momentum, and above all continue to experience these moments as a family.
What has been the most difficult part of your career so far?
My worst memory in rallying was Val d’Ance 2022. This home rally ended very badly as we went off the road, and there was body damage. This period was long and difficult, but I couldn’t wait to get back into service! The happiness that this passion brings is inexplicable.
Do you have a funny racing-related story you can share?
The memory that comes to mind goes back to July 2018. We participated in the “Drôme Paul Friedman” Rally, and that weekend the Football World Cup took place. At the end of this race, we won our R2 category, and France won the World Cup. We all ended up in the fountain in our rally outfits! It was a really great memory.
If you could enter any rally with any driver, which combination would you choose?
I’m not going to be very original, but for me it would be a dream to ride alongside the nine-time World Champion, who is none other than the French Driver Sébastien Loeb. The rally I would choose would be the legendary Monte-Carlo, with its incredible road and atmosphere!
What do you do when you’re not racing?
With my family we have a company selling construction equipment, and when we are not at work, we spend most of our time at the rally! On weekends if we are not participating in any races, we prepare the cars and we also go to encourage our friends at the side of the road. We can say that “we live rally” haha
Do you have a favorite animal?
No, I do not have any.
******************************************************************************
Thanks again to Cyrielle for taking the time to chat and best of luck for the rest of 2024.
Paddock Sorority 
Leave a comment