2001 Campaign Announced
Peugeot Sport have an order placed with Peugeot Sport France for two FIA Super 1600 specification 206 rally cars, which are due to be collected in the near future. These cars have been ordered with a view to enter the 2001 Formula Rally Championship.
A company decision has now been made to reduce the official Peugeot Sport entry into the championship to a single car, rather than two.
1997 Peugeot Challenge winner, 1999 Ferodo Super 1600 Championship winner and official Peugeot Sport works driver for the past three years, Justin Dale will retain his drive with Peugeot to head the 2001 campaign. Manxman Andrew Bargery will continue to partner Stockbridge based Dale in the series, the strong partnership now in it’s 6th year.
The intended second car entry, signed to Mark Fisher at the Autosport Show, will no longer be placed with a regular driver. This is as a mark of respect after the sad loss of Mark in the recent helicopter accident and we feel it would be wrong to give someone else Mark’s drive.
This car will however still be built, and may be used on selected events later in the season for promotional purposes only.
Peugeot Motor Company plc Motorsport Manager, Mick Linford said, "Although there is still a shadow over the team from the loss of Mark, we have to continue with part of the planned programme. The cars are being developed in France, but we will have a considerable amount of work to do to ensure that they work well in the demanding UK forests and roads. We intend that Peugeot Sport finish the season at the top of Formula Rally championship, as it has dominated this formula over the last few years with the 106 Super 1600 GTi."
The team plan to contest the full Formula Rally Championship, commencing with the Wrexham Rally on March 10th. The eight round championship encompasses seven events in the UK mainland, plus a round near Dublin.
5th February 2001
