Well, looking at the results (was still waiting for them to become official but looking at the guys' season recaps, I figured I'd post too) by finishing in 1st I should be securing the overall title, which would be my 3rd consecutive title.
When I arrived here back in 2011 (I remember like it was yesterday)
@Sebastien Levret was king, I used to see that he was always winning the rallies and was a double champion, without a doubt he was the man to beat, and the championship favorite, I had gotten good results in rallyesim before and also liked public session championships, then
@James Knowles introduced me me to RDRC and to RaceDepartment, so immediately the goal was clear, looking at Sebastien's domination here and his great pace, I knew I wanted to become the champion, and because he'd won it 2 times, the dream could only be complete by winning it 3 times.
So I began a very long journey,
my first rally was not bad, I was using the Xsara and I remember feeling very encouraged by my pace in it, had to retire because of some technical problems but I got a good feeling, I won my second rally and then my third and then Season 3 was over, which was won by
@Nigel Atkins it all looked set for a battle for the title with Sebastien in season 4.
However, around that time
@Fernando Agapito came up and we became friends and then decided to become teammates, and it was clear, the goal was to take both titles in season 4.
In the end that season didn't go very well as I had to miss many rounds with technical problems and made many bad mistakes which cost me some wins, however I really enjoyed winning Rally México and the massive battle in the wet gravel of Rallye Terre de L'auxerrois with Fernando will always be one of my best rallying memories, Fernando ended up becoming the champion that season and we parted ways, which I didn't like because that meant my goal would take more time to complete but in retrospect it was a good thing he became a champion, he's left us now and I miss battling with him and his great attention to details, he was on top of everything in the car and always looking for an extra edge, maybe the most formidable opponent I've faced, besides a great human being and a great champion.
Then came season 5, this time I had my eyes set in the title, I had a computer that worked well, a car I really enjoyed driving and had vast experience with, and all the hunger of someone who tried but didn't win the championship the season before, and it was a dream, the whole season was full of wins, podiums and excellent results, I still had some rough edges and made some dumb mistakes but I was overjoyed I managed to take my first title and become the champion.
The next season was amazing again and I managed to be a bit more consistent, I was quite nervous at the midpoint of the season as
@Magnar Haarstadsveen and I were having a big battle for the title, I managed to regain my composture towards the second half of the season and managed to take my second title, and our first teams title alongside
@Michael Nelson another incredible season and I felt very happy to have defended my throne.
Then came season 7 with a new format and an all new look RDRC which was excellent, Mike and I were ready for it and once again the goal was set, take the third title, and so I did, 2 mistakes all season and the rest was wins, we hit milestones like finishing 1-2 in Finland and became the first team to win the teams title twice, an unforgettable season as I finally after 4 years can very happily say: I achieved my goal
I was crying when I was reaching the finish line of the last stage, you can't overestimate the hours we've put into perfecting every last detail of the car's setup, the livery and getting to know every centimeter of the stages, and these years have had everything: great moments of joy, frustration, hope and a lot of emotions, it was also something great to see Mike become very fast as we've progressed, I never imagined it would make me so happy to see him finish in the podiums, it's also great to see that some names have been here since the beginning and to see them progress and become great drivers and champions, and that's been the best part of this, the people, many have left RDRC since I arrived and many are still here, I know I will forget many names but I really want to say thank you for all the moments to everyone, it's been very great.
Thanks to
@Rick Bamford @Jack Hintz @Ole Marius Myrvold @Roy Magnes mr. champion Mike, Fernando
Magnar, Dubravko, Emil, Norbert Tiago, Sandro, Nigel, Daniel, Jonathan, Karl (it's been great to see you progress) Oscar Hardwick and everyone, sorry for forgetting some names but you can be sure I'm thankful that you've participated in RDRC and been company in this great time, RDRC was my teenage years.
And I wish to say congrats to all the champions throughout the years all in RDRC and RDRC-2 RDRC-3 Production, etc.
Season 8 is next and at the moment I have plans to keep competing.
lol I'm sorry for the massive post.
TL : DR you guys are awesome
