Renault’s Renaultsport Megane 275 Trophy-R, has declared the front-wheel-drive Nurburgring lap record with a time of 7 minutes, 54.36 seconds, beating the previous record held by the SEAT Leon Cupra – by 4.04 seconds. We interview the guy behind the wheel for the record-breaking lap, Renault test driver Laurent Hurgon…
Why is the Trophy-R 14 seconds per lap quicker than the 265 Trophy in 2011?
“The huge different is the tyres, plus the shocks as well as dampers from Ohlins are extremely great too. It provides you full adjustability of the cars and truck so if you want understeer or oversteer you can have it. personally I changed it for a extremely neutral feel in the corners, however truly it’s the tyres, dampers as well as the weight cost savings that make the huge difference.”
Do you believe you might go any type of quicker in the Trophy-R?
“I believe as a chauffeur there’s always locations you can go quicker, there were slippery patches out on the track, however I believe it was a extremely great lap. You can always be better, however then you can always be worse. On the Nordschleife though there is no limit, if you have much more power you can certainly set a quicker time. however for each 5kph quicker you go each curve is not the exact same as well as you may requirement to modification the whole configuration of the car.”
Honda has stated it wishes to take the front-wheel drive lap record with the new type R, have you seen it testing on the track?
“Yes I have seen it on the track – we have market pool days where everybody brings their cars and trucks to test. I can’t state exactly how quick they are compared to us however I hope they can go faster, then ideally Renaultsport can do something much more to try as well as beat them again.”
It should feel great to take the record back from the SEAT Leon Cupra so soon after they published it?
“It is just a coincidence about the timing of SEAT’s record lap. We’ve been working on this programme for a year as well as a half – we were certainly amazed about the SEAT time attack. however something such as this is great for team spirit.”
What guidance would you provide to somebody who hasn’t driven the Nurburgring, however wishes to come as well as provide it a go?
“Take it slowly to begin with – there are so numerous blind curves that might go left or best – as well as it’s much better to do a lap with somebody who understand the track first. If a formula one chauffeur came right here for the very first time he would most likely be 30 or 40 seconds slower than me, since it’s all about getting to understand the corners.”   
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Find out much more about the fastest Nurburgring lap times here. as well as get the full story on Renault’s new FWD lap record.