TCR World and life

Julien Briché has developed the reputation of being a very quick driver and a true fighter in the TCR arena. On top of that, his straightforward approach and his unsophisticated personality have allowed the 39-year-old from Clermont-Ferrand, who runs his own family team JSB Compétition, to become one of the most popular figures in the TCR Europe paddock. In 2020, Julien and his team will again be in action with the Peugeot 308 cars. Looking back at the 2019 season, when you were a brilliant runner-up in the TCR Europe series, what are your assessments and feelings? “It was an incredibly exciting season! I enjoyed the driving and the fighting very much. We did well and came quite close in the championship battle. We lacked a little bit of consistency with respect to Josh Files and paid a high price for the broken engine we suffered at the Red Bull Ring. Still, what I am most proud of is the four race wins we conquered, more than anyone else, and the fact that I was able to stay in contention until the bitter end.” What are your plans for 2020? “We will be again competing in the TCR Europe series. The objective is to field three cars, and at this very moment, I’m pleased to say that we have already signed deals for two of them. We will have a few developments on the Peugeot 308 TCR car, but nothing major, it’s about little things that are expected to improve a package that has already proved its competitiveness. Longer-term, as a team, we would like to consider the WTCR in the near future, but it takes many variables to launch that kind of programme.” Peugeot has a policy of bringing up to TCR racing the young talents emerging from the Peugeot 308 Racing Cup, I guess you value that? “Yes, and they should get a lot of credit for that. Their ‘filière’ really works well and serves the purpose, in both rallying and circuit racing. The winners of their mono-brand trophies are assured to go up one step on the ladder. Last year’s TCR Europe offered the best evidence of that, with Teddy and Jimmy Clairet joining me on the grid, plus a number of occasional participations from other Peugeot Racing Cup regulars. We all can rely on their support and that is quite important.” Three questions to… JulienBriché