Please introduce yourself, tell us about you (age, nationality, profession) and how you became a simracer
Hello, my name is Eric Langlois and I was born in France in 1962 in Orléans. I'm divorced (and yes it even happens to the best ;-)) and a dad of 3 grown girls. After an internship under oceans and seas for 8 years in submarines as a diesel mechanic, I came back to re-oxygenate myself in my native region and joined a public transport company for 35 years as a supervising Tram manager 55 drivers. Since I am retired where I can satisfy my passions which are outside of Simracing, photography, walking, gardening. I started very early to play on PC especially simulations which could be of all kinds submarines (silent hunter3), tanks (Sherman M4 and M1 Abrahams) planes (Il2 Sturmovick, flight simulator) and automobile races (all the series F1 by Geoff Crammond, GTR1 and 2, Project Cars 1 and 2 and of course ACC). The list is not exhaustive, moreover my friend calls me a Geek.
How long have you played ACC ?
Since 2020 but I had acquired the game as soon as it was released. Unfortunately my computer hardware was not up to par at the time.
Tell us how the idea of the eSeniors came to you ?
I saw an ad on Facebook and was won over by the concept of Grandpa Racers and wanted to try out the online racing experience.
How was it racing in the Eseniors Championship ?
In fact very naturally despite the language barrier and I thank Mr GOOGLE and his translator as well as Jérémie. I feel very comfortable there and the friendly atmosphere despite the competition greatly contributes to my pleasure.
How many hours did you spend preparing yourself for a Race, and why is it important ?
Unfortunately, it is too irregular because this is the key to progress. In fact I try to ride 2 hours before the race and if the weather allows it a little more during the week.
What kind of equipment do you use (wheel, pedals, PC, screen, etc) ?
OPLITE GTR seat, Thrusmaster T300 RS GT steering wheel + T3PA crankset. Old SAMSUNG 32 "60 hz TV. Laptop PC LENOVO LEGION Y520, I5 7300HQ, 16Mo, NVidia GTX 1050.
We do with what we have but upgrade my setup planned for the end of the year and switch to a stationary PC.
Do you buy setups or do you setup your car alone ?
A bit of both, but when I buy I always tweak the settings behind. But I admit that there too I have a lot to learn.
What makes you faster than the rest?
I love humor !!!! either seriously I think that we always have faster drivers than either. In addition, the level is still very high isn't it Mr BOURNE ;-)
What is you favorite car and why ?
I love the Bentley, maybe for the right-hand drive, but mostly for the noise. Its noise reminds me of the Aston Martin AMV8 at the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1977, I still have chills !!!!
What is you favorite circuit (s) and why ?
Brands Hatch in the rain for my first and only victory in Eseniors and Spa because it remains a legendary circuit.
Who are your childhood racing heroes ?
Henri Pescarolo and Jacky Ickx who remain for me references in endurance races and at Le Mans in particular.
What is the best advice you would to give to a simracer ?
Stay humble with others and yourself. Know your limits so you can talk to them without ever going beyond them. But above all, train yourself and have fun.
Are you satisfied with the Eseniors organization, and do you have suggestions to help bring a higher level of competition ?
I am very happy with it and given the growing number of Eseniors simracers, I really appreciated the fact that we give the Simracers the opportunity to get involved in the organization, it allows to see and understand all the facets of Simracing.
What I hope is to be able to achieve 24 hour endurance one day and maybe with the Eseniors.
And finally, the most important question...how many speeding tickets have you accumulated to date ?
If my memory of sixty years does not fail me, I think I had 1 when I was riding a motorcycle (Yamaha XS 1100). I then went through it with my Opel Kadett GSI 16S and Ford Sierra Cosworth. Since then I have settled down and drive a Toyota Yaris Hybrid GR Sport: We don't say that good wine gets better with aging !!!!!
