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NEWS
Peugeot rallies to the ARC
Privateer 207 backed in 2013, but 208 coming in 2014Peugeot seems certain to sponsor a privateer attack on the 2013 Australian Rally Championship to promote the arrival of the new 208 GTI hot hatch (pictured) and as a possible precursor to a deeper involvement from 2014.
The plan has been confirmed by motoring.com.au by Peugeot Automobiles Australia director/general manager Bill Gillespie at today’s launch of the mainstream 208 range. The GTI does not arrive until April/May 2013.
“Yes we would like to do the Australian Rally Championship,” Gillespie confirmed.” We might do it next year too, we are talking to a team at the moment.”
While Gillespie was reticent to reveal too much detail, motoring.com.au understands PAA will support a 207 rally car imported from Europe by Australian Kumho motorsport tyre distributor John Mills. According to the official ARC website, the car should be campaigned for Mills in the ARC by Innate Motorsports and driven by Adrian Coppin. Innate is running a Ford Fiesta in the 2012 championship.
“We are in early discussions about supporting that (program),” Gillespie confirmed. “It would be good for us because GTI is coming in May and we need a landing place for that and rallying could give us a nice little landing place.
Gillespie said that PAA would likely deepen its rallying commitment in 2014, backing a program for the 208, which would by then be available as a rally racer.
“You wouldn’t get a car in 2013, there are too many European teams lined up,” he said. “So we will support it next year in a limited capacity to start off with and then something further down the track. It would be a nice thing for us to do. It’s part of what we’ve done as a brand and motorsport has been part of our DNA for some time.”
The new GTI makes its debut at the Paris motor show next week. Lower and wider than the standard 208, it powers its front wheels via a 147kW version of the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine also seen in the Mini Cooper S. The only transmission is a six-speed manual.
Also being revealed in Paris is the 208 Type R5 customer Super 2000 rally car, which is four-wheel drive and powered by a 205kW/400Nm version of the GTI’s engine.
Peugeot is the second manufacturer to show interest in the ARC in days, as Ford has confirmed the availability of Fiesta R2 and R1-spec customer cars for purchase in 2013. A one-make Fiesta series is also planned.
Peugeot’s Australian motorsport fame is built on Ken Tubman’s win in the 1953 Redex round Australia trial in a 203, an event which garnered enormous public attention.
Peugeot was a powerful performer in global rallying, although it withdrew from the world championship in favour of fellow PSA brand Citroen in 2005.
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Written byBruce Newton
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