After a remarkable debut in his first RallyX campaign last year – finishing fifth overall in the Supercar Lites category – Julien Meunier is preparing for another season.
For a first experience in such a highly competitive “North” league, Meunier had little to complain about.
Securing fifth place in the overall standings, the two-time French Super1600 champion stepped into an entirely new realm, facing opponents and circuits that only pushed him to further elevate his game.
With five podium finishes from the ten races he competed in during the 2024 season, the French rallycross prodigy not only earned his place in nine finals, but also posted two fastest qualifying times and six fastest race laps.
On tracks where grip levels can change dramatically within minutes, Meunier adapted to the ever-shifting conditions, proving his ability to rise to the challenge despite his inexperience at this level of competition.
Following in the footsteps of Cyril Raymond, the young Frenchman has successfully navigated the ruthless world of racing, where any mistake can be costly.
“Last year it took us some time to really understand the car, but it also allowed us to learn a lot,” explains Meunier.
“The hardest part for me was adapting to the Supercar Lites driving style, something I hadn’t anticipated at all. I had driven Supercars and Super1600s before, but in my opinion the Supercar Lites is much more difficult to master.”
“With less power, you have to avoid excessive sliding while still using it strategically to rotate the car through corners. Braking is another key aspect – it has to be extended all the way to the apex to take the weight off the rear axle. Otherwise, the weight of the car will naturally push you outwards. These were things I struggled with at the beginning of the season, but once I had a better understanding of the car’s dynamics I was able to fine-tune my set-up. This improved my confidence at the wheel and made the car much more enjoyable to drive.”
As he prepares for the new season, Meunier’s goals are clear.
“I still need to improve my driving. I know I can get more speed out of it. The set-up is another crucial factor – we haven’t reached the full potential of the car yet. We learned a lot at the end of last season, but there is still room for improvement in these two areas. If we make the right progress, we’ll be in a strong position to fight for wins.”
With Simon Olofsson deciding not to defend his RallyX crown and Casper Jansson making the jump to FC2 and the Open 4WD category, the competitive landscape is evolving.
“My goal is to keep up with the pace of Lukas Andersson and Tobias Daarbak. Towards the end of last season we posted similar lap times at Buxtehude and I’m optimistic that we’ll be in the mix again at Montalegre. But I’m not taking anything for granted. With new drivers entering the field and others continuing to improve, I expect this season to be incredibly intense.”