9:36am Thursday 7th May 2009
World Championship contenders Daniel Barritt and Conrad Rautenbach get their first taste of Super 2000 rallying when they contest the Azores Rally.
The pair are contesting this weekend’s event, part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, to get more experience of Super 2000 cars, which will replace WRC machinery next season.
Barritt (pictured right), from Barrowford, and his Zimbabwean driver will behind the wheel of a Peugeot 207 run by the French PH Sport company.
“I’ve never competed in one of these cars before so I’m really looking forward to having a go in one,” said Rautenbach.
“Obviously, it’s going to take a while to get used to the lack of torque which we have from a turbo-charged engine in a World Rally Car, but having come from a Junior car a few years ago, I’m used to revving engines to get the most out of them.”
Although their deal is currently just a one-off, there is a possibility that Barritt and Rautenbach could enter more IRC events later in the season.
“The immediate future of the World Rally Championship is going to be based on this type of car, so the chance to get in one and drive it now is invaluable – nothing compares with putting competitive miles on the clock when you’re learning a new car,” Rautenbach said. “At the moment, it’s a deal for the Azores, but I’m hoping I can do some more rallies beyond this one. Let’s see how this first one goes.”
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