Belgian junior rally champion, the two previous seasons; vice-champion of the German ADAC Open Rally Cup in 2018, before also taking 2nd place in the European ADAM Cup, the following year, Grégoire Munster again finished 2nd this year, at European level, but squarely in junior ERC. The oldest son of Bernard Munster has just had an exceptional season, in many respects. And the icing on the cake, he has just finished 3rd on the list of Belgian sporting hope of the year.
Barely three years have passed after the 2017 van Haspengouw rally, young Munster’s very first experience in the driver’s seat that he has already won rewards. Sensed to be able to complete a full season in the Belgian championship, Grégoire had to change his plans with the health crisis, and achieve a full championship in the ERC, the European rally championship. And with what success, since with Louis Louka, the Hyundai crew became European junior vice-champion, 3rd in the general classification in the ERC. However, in addition to the logistical reorganization of the team, it was necessary to review many elements with the covid, in particular the set-up of the car. “Basically, we had to participate in the Belgian championship, which is a rather atypical championship, with slippery roads, often muddy, because of the weather”, explains Grégoire. “We had therefore developed a very specific set-up for this championship, and then when we found ourselves in the ERC, with rounds that take place in particular on gravel, or on much more” grip “asphalt. , we had to adapt and adapt the car “.
A season that turned into a discovery for the very young Heusytois, only 21 years old. “With the presence of many new drivers, deprived of their respective national championships, it was beneficial for our speed. We really had to push to our limits to play with the best in front. To be more complete, with very special conditions. , especially with the weather, which brought us quite a few surprises “.
The Hungarian rally, my best memory
7th in Rome and Latvia during the first two rounds, the Munster-Louka team secured a nice 4th place in Portugal, but it was in the following rally that they performed especially well. “In Rally Hungary, we managed to finish 2nd, behind Andreas Mikkelsen, a former WRC driver, who has already won world rallies. This is really the result that I will retain. On the other hand, the Canary Islands rally It will also remain a famous experience. Surprised by the weather, we left with a very poor choice of tires, and we lost the title of junior champion on this rally “.
Even if Hyundai has just signed its Swedish rival Oliver Solberg in WRC2. Obviously some names are even louder than that of the Munster …, the Vervietois still caught the eye of the Korean manufacturer. “We showed good progress during the year, achieved some interesting results. Hyundai was happy, but we are also well aware that there are a lot of other drivers and that it is complicated to stand out. That said, we are heading in the right direction.
With BMA, on daddy’s footsteps
With Grégoire, we can sincerely speak of dazzling progress, even if the boy has been bottle-fed at the rally since his childhood, with dad Bernard. Undeniable advantage over boys his age who want to break into the industry. “I am very well surrounded, with my father who has his own structure. This allows us to drive at cost price and not have to rent a car from another preparer. And thanks to the support of partners and Hyundai, j I have the opportunity to participate in many rallies: this is what is essential in rallying, the more kilometers we cover, the more we learn “.
Despite a complicated Canary Islands rally and a spectacular off the road at the Monza WRC rally, earlier this month, Grégoire Munster can be very proud of this very special season. Crowned by this nomination for the Belgian Sportsman of the Year gala. “It’s a bit of a pleasant surprise at the end of the year. It’s been extremely pleasant and it’s also very nice for our discipline, which does not always have good press. It’s a very nice recognition”.
The World Cup in dreams …
Grégoire and Hyundai are already working hard for the 2021 season, even if it is likely to be further disrupted, if only by the postponement of the Haspengouw and the Spa Rallye. , but, with abnegation, he intends to continue his progression. While dreaming of course of one day joining the WRC world championship, like Thierry Neuville. “Yes, that is the objective, to be supported by a manufacturer and why not do it professionally, but there are so few elected, it is a very small circle. However, we are giving ourselves the means to ‘to achieve this, knowing that there are still a lot of stages to go through. An evolution which requires an increase in speed but also a whole host of details to be improved “.
A priori, it is at the TAC Rallye that we should see the Munster-Louka team at work next April, but in the current context everything remains of course uncertain. What has become evident today is that this boy, like his father, will one day be one of the gentlemen of the Belgian rally … perhaps even worldwide. (Lionel Solheid)
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