Return to New Zealand with Fabrizia Pons
The world's best known and most successful female rally driver, Michèle Mouton, will be the drawcard entry in the 2008 Dunlop Classic Rally of Otago, driving a Ford Escort RS1800 for the Rossendale Rally Team.

For five years now, the Rossendale Team have been working in a very successful partnership with the race ... [ more ]

“This ‘Dakar' will be very hard”
A huge challenge awaits Giniel de Villiers (South Africa) and his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz: Fifteen stages over 9,200 kilometres – including 5,736 stage kilometres – make up the 30th running of the Dakar Rally. "I'm looking forward to every single day of the rally, and especially the long stages in Africa,” explains ... [ more ]

BFGoodrich on the Dakar
Since its debut on the rally-raid scene in 1972, BFGoodrich has emerged as the discipline's benchmark tyre brand. Its record today boasts eight Dakar wins since 1999 and it has just won the Cross-Country Rally World Cup for the 10th time. BFGoodrich has every intention of defending and developing its domination thanks to the strong relationships ... [ more ]

With Team Dessoude
Team Honghe
Chinese team Honghe will be relying on Team Dessoude's experience to achieve their aim. We will meet young Chinese prodigy Xu Lang again, who finished the 2006 Dakar in 19th position overall. Once again, Xu will be navigated by Fabian Lurquin. Our two friends, who know each other well, need to get their Pickup 03 to Dakar.

« ... [ more ]

The Dakar with Team Dessoude
An absolute beginner in the world of cross-country rallies, the Dakar will be a real premiere for Brahim Asloum. The Olympic boxing Champion, freshly crowned as the WBA World Champion in the light flyweight category, has chosen a new challenge for himself, far from the rings. A fine ambition, which he is ready to face with unfailing ... [ more ]

A few changes to the regulations
Tyre manufacturer Pirelli will soon begin its role as single supplier to the World Rally Championship for the next three years, beginning with the 2008 season. Following that nomination, the FIA decided upon rule changes affecting the use of tyres.

The teams will be supplied with three particular brands of tyres by the ... [ more ]

''Politics-wise it was a disaster''
Lewis Hamilton believes the traumatic experiences of his debut season in Formula One can help him emerge as a team leader for McLaren.

Hamilton spent most of the campaign embroiled in an increasingly bitter feud with team-mate Fernando Alonso, while his team were caught up in the spy-gate controversy.

Despite ... [ more ]

''I have the highest regard for my team''
The Suzuki World Rally Team conducted its final testing sessions of the year amongst the French Alps last week as the start of the 2008 World Rally Championship campaign moves closer. The Monte Carlo season-opener will launch on January 24th, in less than a month.

Team Principal Nobuhiro Tajima attended the test ... [ more ]

Basso and Alen to drive Fiat Grande Puntos
The Italian-based Abarth team will return to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge next year with a two-car Grande Punto team. The driver line-up will be Giandomenico Basso, a former European Champion and the reigning Italian Champion, and Anton Alen – the son of rally legend Markku Alen.

Abarth will also run cars ... [ more ]

Suzuki preparations are under way
The last testing sessions of the year 2007 have been completed by the Suzuki World Rally Team. The twisty test roads were located in the French Alps, about 100km west of the Mont Blanc, which is known as the highest peak in the European Alps.

The chilly air of winter greeted the team members during the first day of testing ... [ more ]

A full season makes dream come true
Following a season of sporadic appearances, Gigi Galli finally rejoins the World Rally Championship thanks to a programme that provides for participation in all 15 rounds of the 2008 campaign. His return comes in a big way with the Stobart M-Sport Ford team and support from tyre manufacturer Pirelli, while Giovanni Bernacchini ... [ more ]

A crew to aim for victory
A crew to aim for victory … the duo of Strugo and Brucy should light the touch paper with the Pathfinder T2. For Jean-Pierre Strugo, to aim for victory is a real possibility :

« As an experienced competitor in T2, my aim is to win the category. Third two years ago, second last year … let's hope that this year is the right one. ... [ more ]

For Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team
The four cars which are due to spearhead the Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team's 2008 Dakar bid successfully completed the special shakedown session which took place today at the squad's usual test venue in Marmagne, northwest of Macon, approximately 60km from its headquarters in Pont de Vaux, France.

All four crews braved ... [ more ]

Ready for Dakar 2008
Mr. Kemal Merkit who had been in Dakar Rally 4 times before and who had the title of “First Turk ever finished the Dakar Rally” and his team mate Mr. Kutlu Torunlar will compete in Dakar 2008 sponsored by Jim Beam. This is the second time Turkish Team will compete in Dakar Rally.

Jim Beam Turkish Team is going to compete in motorcycle ... [ more ]

Second Dakar for the girls
Carole Montillet and Mélanie Suchet are taking part in their second Dakar, this time with a T1 Pathfinder. A bit difference for the two skiing champions, as Carole Montillet explains :

« Our number one objective for this Dakar is to enjoy ourselves. But this time, we will be driving a much more competitive race car. The Pathfinder ... [ more ]