Photo : - DR

Some 200 French journalists were present earlier in the week at Crans-Montana for the Communication Awards 2011 organized by the Union of Sports Journalists in France with support from the Swiss resort. This gave the opportunity to experience the slopes of Valais to several French drivers who are already in full preparation for the next season of endurance racing, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"Here in Crans, I'm at home," says Harold Primat who should return again in 2011, driving an Aston Martin LM P1. "Since the age of 6, I have frequented this very convivial place, where racing drivers are particularly welcomed."

Like Stéphane Peterhansel, Romain Dumas frequents this place often. The winner of 24 Hours of Le Mans was also expected in Crans-Montana at the invitation of UJSF but an unfortunate mishap kept him in France. While preparing to go to Switzerland, Dumas had his Porsche Cayenne stolen at La Plagne . The robber not only took the car, but also his passport, his credit card and all the papers of  the last winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans who was lent €600 by the local police to get home! 

Excepting Dumas, Primat however found other accomplices in their favourite ski resort: Stéphane Ortelli, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans (1998) and is an accomplished skier, and Cyril Sauvage, champion of France in Formula Renault in 1995 before entering into Formula 3000 and Porsche Supercup.

"This is why I return to this place to prepare seriously my season", said Ortelli. "Harold spends the holidays in le Valais and he will host all his teammates of the Aston Martin in mid-January for a physical training camp." "Many athletes come to prepare here", added Jean-Yves Rey, Managing Director of Crans-Montana Tourism. "Twice we had the team of Henri Pescarolo, a driver that I greatly admired and a team owner I appreciate. I went to support him at Le Mans three years ago and I am sure he will manage to recover well. With us, we love motorsports. It's not an accident that we have named Harold our Ambassador. Just as golfers Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott. "

In 2011, Primat will sport the colors of Crans-Montana again on his helmet. But the Franco-Swiss Aston Martin driver is still a little vague. "Le Mans and 1000 Km of Silverstone ILMC are already in our programme. For the rest we must wait. We'll know more in early February, during initial testing of the car. "

Stéphane Ortelli, has not yet finalised his international programme. No longer driving for Team Oreca, he will bounce back in 2011 in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. His friend Cyril Sauvage was already working on a project that would allow both men to be together in this competition, driving a Ferrari. Stay tuned!

Jean-Claude Virfeu

Photo: Crans-Montana (Switzerland), December 13, 2010. Three endurance racing regulars met in Switzerland to discover the slopes of Valais; Harold Primat (right), Stéphane Ortelli (left) with Jean-Yves Rey, Director of Crans-Montana Tourism.