Tom, you’re not the first Pellerey to excel in this sport...
That’s right ! My father, Alain, has been rallying for most of his life. He was well-known in the one-make cups from age 18 until he was 50, so you could call him a knowledgeable amateur. Despite a severe lack of resources, he did his best and produced some respectable performances. He competed in the Monte-Carlo Rally 13 times. He won his category and finished as the top French driver several times. He ended his career with a mechanical problem at the 2007 Monte-Carlo. I grew up in this environment, and only as I got older did I realise how unique it was !

However, you got your start relatively late...
There are several reasons for this. The budget is one, but I rode enduro bikes. It was difficult for me to leave a discipline where I was doing well for another where I had no guarantees. I didn’t know what to expect. As my cousin Stéphane had won the Rallye Jeunes operation in 2006, I thought it was the best option, and it quickly became a goal. In 2019, I dominated part of the selection, but I couldn’t manage my stress on the final day. I worked hard before trying my luck again, with success in 2021.

How did your competition debut go ?
Thanks to Rallye Jeunes, I won a season in a Rally4 in 2022. After a short preparation in the post-COVID context, the Rallye du Touquet was going well until I got caught out trying to avoid a car that had gone off in the last stage of the first day. That was the start of a somewhat difficult period despite some good times. The rest was more of the same, as if success was eluding me due to tiny details with huge consequences.

Nevertheless, you won in Vaucluse to round off the year...
I finished with this victory, which felt great. I started cautiously, but I broke free and battled with Quentin Ribaud in the official Clio Rally4. He probably would have won without a hitch, but it was so satisfying to battle with the two-wheel-drive reference back then in just our first season. While I was sure I knew how to drive until then, I just had to confirm it. Having fun is one thing ; achieving a competitive performance is another. Racing is something you live.

Why did you choose Clio Rally5 for 2023 ?
First, it was for the financial aspect as it was France’s most affordable feeder series. The car, which is a bit lively, also suits my driving style better. After two years behind the wheel, I can confirm it is an excellent car to learn with. I recommend it to all young drivers who want to get started. This year in Vaucluse, I felt a little sad when I realised it was the last time I would likely get in one.

What about the season ?
My project came together relatively late, as I discovered my new team’s car during the Le Touquet shakedown. I was one of the least experienced driver in the field. I hadn’t made many starts and didn’t know the event well as I am from the south of France ! Despite that, I fought hard for the lead against Arthur Pelamourgues. I lost a bit of time in a chicane halfway through the rally, which dropped me back quite a bit. There wasn’t anything left to aim for, but we still set respectable times without pushing too hard. It was a good omen, but I got caught out on the last stage, in the same place as many other drivers. That started a spiral in which I couldn’t regain my confidence. The rest was rather complicated, and we couldn’t confirm our potential.

Until you return to Vaucluse...
Once again, the Vaucluse allowed us to bounce back with a new team, CHL Sport Auto. We led the two-wheel drive category until we lost the win due to a puncture. Despite that, the good thing was that we were fighting again at the front.

Is that why you chose gravel in 2024 ?
In 2023, I went to the tarmac to get out of my comfort zone and drive where I needed to work the most. Having ridden mountain and enduro bikes, I knew a lot about gravel and less about tarmac, apart from a bit of circuit racing. It was easier to start on gravel, but I wanted to mix the two to learn as quickly as possible.

Do you find this surface reminiscent of your career on two wheels ?
There’s a specific notion of cleanliness in common. For a motorbike, like a two-wheel drive car, you must be efficient when you get out of the corners. That’s the secret to being fast. There are other minor similarities, such as the way you position yourself.

2024 was your second campaign with your co-driver, Hervé Faucher, and the first full season with CHL Sport Auto. How did they help you ?
Hervé and I have forged a relationship beyond our crew. We’ve worked together for two years and have become friends. We complement and trust each other more and more, and we’ve grown over time. I want to thank him for all his commitment. This year, he got what he’s always deserved. At the same time, I’ve been able to make my setup and try things out. I was heard and guided by the CHL Sport Auto team to develop a car that suited me completely and performed better and better as the season went on. I’m very grateful for what I’d describe as a true family. It all helped me to feel at my best and to achieve these results.

Have you also gained maturity and insight ?
It was important from the start of the season. With my record, I wanted to start the year on the right foot at the Causses. The aim was to succeed in the opening round and then go from there. As it turned out, we were always well-positioned in the classification, and all we had to do was manage our rallies, sometimes letting those who wanted to attack do so. I also realised that success came once we got into a positive mindset and focused on having fun. I had the feeling that I could provoke our own destiny.

Was it hard to dissociate the Junior category from the overall standings ?
The Junior category was always our main target, though I didn’t want to miss out on the overall victory when we could do it, as we did at the Causses. Some rounds were a bit more tricky, like Aléria with a puncture and a brake issue. Those were challenging moments, but they also allowed us to prove to ourselves that we could make the best of every situation. There are unforeseen circumstances in rallying, and I’ve learnt how to manage them as best I can to make the most of each event.

Were you disappointed to miss out on the overall title ?
Shortly before the Cardabelles, I lost a childhood friend, so it was difficult emotionally. I had some bad nights but I put my feelings aside from the start. I didn’t think about it again until we broke a driveshaft. From a competitive perspective, Benjamin Boulenc already had several starts there and was very sharp. Despite that, we were ahead of him and enjoying ourselves before we retired. It was slightly frustrating to retire so early because it was the perfect scenario for him. We missed out on the title by just four points, but we have nothing to be ashamed of, and we made our mark by being again at the sharp end of the order. Apart from the Castine and the opening leg of the Lozère, all the rounds were new to me. It took a lot of preparation, but it was a nice surprise and very gratifying to be competitive in rallies we were doing for the first time.

A month later, you won the French Two-Wheel Drive Gravel Rally Championship...
We thought we’d lost our chances when we retired at Cardabelles, but it turns out that the regulations allow for a joker round, which only some people knew. I learned this when I received Ludovic Brajon’s congratulations the week after the rally. I didn’t understand it then and was sure he won the title. It wasn’t our goal, but it’s a nice line on a résumé. It puts Clio Rally5 in the spotlight, with which we won in two-wheel drive against much faster Rally4s in the season-finale in Vaucluse. It’s also fitting to thank all our partners and CHL Sport Auto.

In the end, your experience is quite limited...
That’s the issue with starting late. Some people associate my age with a certain amount of experience, but I’m one of the least experienced in feeder series despite being 27 years old. I’ve only done three seasons, the first two affected by a significant lack of luck, so to become an official driver in such a short period is quite nice !

Did you imagine this when you participated in Rallye Jeunes for the first time ?
It’s hard to see yourself winning Rallye Jeunes because it seems out of reach. I knew the most challenging part would be getting through the short slaloms. That wasn’t necessarily my strong suit, but I was more confident on the racetrack. That’s what happened. I wasn’t among the best between the poles, but I was quickly in front at Lédenon. I found driving at a certain speed easier than between the posts, which didn’t come naturally to me at first.

What are your strengths, and where do you need to improve ?
I’m able to keep the car moving with speed and fluidity. I’ve assimilated the basic techniques, and I’m applying them. I like to drive in a ’classic’ style, and I can do that for many kilometres and never turn a wheel wrong. I may sometimes lack a bit of attack, but I make very few big, costing mistakes. Regarding what I still need to improve, I’ve improved my note-taking, but we can still work on that. There’s also tarmac, where I still need to gain some experience to go for it in the high-speed sections, which I actually enjoy so much on gravel.

What will you remember as the highlight of your Clio Trophy France Terre season ?
The year’s opening rally in the Causses with our maiden win in feeder series. We had it all working on that rally. We were in the lead from the very first stage by just a tenth, but it was a nice surprise. The season was underway, and the battle promised to be intense. It was our first Clio Trophy France Terre outing with CHL Sport Auto. We’d tried a few things and needed to figure out where we stood on this new rally for me. In the end, I overcame my unfamiliarity with the roads. The other highlight was the season-finale at Cardabelles. With the tragic events leading up to it, I was delighted with what I was doing behind the wheel until I retired. That shows how much I’ve improved mentally and in terms of strength of character.

As we await your programme, what can we wish you for the future ?
I would like to go international with Clio Rally3. I have yet to learn all the ins and outs, but we’re working on it, and I’m trying to find solutions and partners to discover the car as soon as possible. I spend much time on it alongside my job at Lucena Rally Test, a gravel test base in the Vaucluse region, and other part-time jobs as driving instructor on an ice circuit in Lapland. I don’t come from a wealthy background, but I know I’m privileged. I’ve got where I am thanks to the work and help of many people to whom I’m hugely grateful. In any case, I think my style is suited to Clio Rally3. After some tough times, I have never been more confident. The hardest part was getting through it. Now, I’ve got all I need to get on with it. I have to take it one step at a time, but I will make the most of every opportunity to move up the ranks.