Approaching the exit from Sotteville-sous-le-Val (Seine-Maritime) on the A13 motorway towards Rouen, over 13 ha, the Circuit de l'Europe and its body of water are visible to all the car drivers. In thirty years, the circuit has seen its activities increase, especially since the takeover by Stéphanie and Éric Lemoine. Until March 15, amateurs could practice Paintball, Jet Ski with their own machines or rent one of the 90 karts two-stroke or four-stroke to try to beat the record for the 1,200 m track: “It's our biggest animation with individuals, companies for seminars or motivation days and with the licensees of the French Federation of Motor Sport (FFSA). We cannot organize a competition because the circuit is not homologated ”, indicates the manager.
Deferred investments
Only, the confinement made everyone enter the paddocks. “From that day, 10 people found themselves on partial unemployment and we were waiting. A long wait which will not jeopardize the business, but which will certainly postpone investments such as the construction of a new building. This has already delayed the development of a new Paintball and the launch of an outdoor Bubble Foot. We have a seasonal activity which was supposed to start in March. I think it will take a year to analyze the consequences of the health crisis, ”says Stéphanie Lemoine. However, she is delighted to have been able to reopen on May 12 "unlike our colleagues in Indoor who I think".
Lower the flag safely
So the audience comes back very timidly. Before getting on a racing car, you have to put your hands in hydroalcoholic gel, put on a charlotte and put a mask under the helmet: “After the agreement of the FFSA, we followed the health protocol of the GNPK (National Group of Professionals of Karting) . Pilots cannot be more than 10 on the track, cannot start on the grid. We, for our part, after each session, we disinfect with alcohol at 70 ° the steering wheel, the bucket and the helmet which remains without use at least for forty-five minutes. We have also designed one-way traffic in the premises and paddocks. No one can meet and changing rooms are prohibited. "
Of course, all this adds to the operation, "but our priority for the moment is the safety of customers so that they come back." We are waiting for the instructions to resume normal operation. We hope in August ”.
