The 2013 World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier is a man of his word and, six years after accepting a challenge from the ACP, the Volkswagen Motorsport driver is going to give a one thousand-Euro cheque to the Estoril Firefighters.
It was in 2008 that Ogier attended the Vodafone Rally de Portugal just to take part in the pre-event recce. This is an opportunity that all event organisers offer but which is typically used by factory teams to give young drivers the chance to gain experience without having to compete in the event itself.
Although known to few at the time, the Automóvel Club de Portugal, using an initiative suggested by João Passos, General Secretary of the Meeting, challenged the French youngster: “Don’t worry, you can pay the €1000 recce fee when you win your first WRC title. Then, you can chose which institution to give the €1000 to.”
Ogier did not forget the deal and now, after taking the title last year, he will present a €1000 cheque to the Estoril Firefighters, one the Fire Departments that lost men to the brutal fires of Caramulo in 2013.
Commenting, the reigning champion said; “Of course I did not forget this very nice episode at the beginning of my career. For me as a Junior driver the help of Joao was very welcome because like many young drivers, my budget was really tight. And now, six years later when I saw Joao, we can both be happy – he gets back the 1000 Euros and I am proud to be World Champion! On top of that, it´s a great pleasure to donate the money to some of the bravest; the Estoril Firefighters.”
The 2013 World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier is a man of his word and, six years after accepting a challenge from the ACP, the Volkswagen Motorsport driver is going to give a one thousand-Euro cheque to the Estoril Firefighters.
It was in 2008 that Ogier attended the Vodafone Rally de Portugal just to take part in the pre-event recce. This is an opportunity that all event organisers offer but which is typically used by factory teams to give young drivers the chance to gain experience without having to compete in the event itself.
Although known to few at the time, the Automóvel Club de Portugal, using an initiative suggested by João Passos, General Secretary of the Meeting, challenged the French youngster: “Don’t worry, you can pay the €1000 recce fee when you win your first WRC title. Then, you can chose which institution to give the €1000 to.”
Ogier did not forget the deal and now, after taking the title last year, he will present a €1000 cheque to the Estoril Firefighters, one the Fire Departments that lost men to the brutal fires of Caramulo in 2013.
Commenting, the reigning champion said; “Of course I did not forget this very nice episode at the beginning of my career. For me as a Junior driver the help of Joao was very welcome because like many young drivers, my budget was really tight. And now, six years later when I saw Joao, we can both be happy – he gets back the 1000 Euros and I am proud to be World Champion! On top of that, it´s a great pleasure to donate the money to some of the bravest; the Estoril Firefighters.”