Peugeot and the Tour de Corse (May, 11-14)

Peugeot has decided to join forces with the Tour de Corse to mark the event's return to a major international championship. In addition to official backing from Peugeot France and the presence of French rallying's most popular single-make series (Volant 207), a high number of 207 Super 2000 runners will be looking to provide Peugeot with a fifth outright win on the Mediterranean island.

Objective: a fifth win for Peugeot in Corsica

The Tour de Corse will be the third round of the IRC's 2011 calendar after January's visit to Monte Carlo and the forthcoming Rally Islas Canarias (April 15-16). Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri will start the Spanish event as the provisional championship leaders and will endeavour to repeat their success earlier in the year in Monaco. The Frenchmen enjoy support from Peugeot France and its dealership network and are scheduled to contest the entire series (NB: the organisation of the two Portuguese rounds has yet to be confirmed) in their bid to secure the 2011 title.

The Tour de Corse rookies will then try to win on home soil against 10 or so other 207 Super 2000 runners, including those entered by Peugeot Belgium (for Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul), Peugeot UK (Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh) and Peugeot Portugal (Bruno Magalhaes/Paulo Grave). Peugeot itself will be hunting a fifth win on the Mediterranean island after its previous victories notched up by Bruno Saby (1986/205 Turbo 16 Evo2), Gilles Panizzi (2000 and 2002/206 WRC) and, more recently, within the framework of the 2009 Coupe de France des Rallyes, Pascal Trojani (307 WRC).

Volant Peugeot 207

In the course of its 30-year existence, Peugeot's celebrated single-make formula has produced a long list of top French drivers, including Gilles Panizzi, Sébastien Ogier and Bryan Bouffier. The series provides youngsters with a valuable chance to make their debut, learn the ropes or simply indulge in their passion in a competition which sets significant store on ensuring a level sporting and technical playing field. The Tour de Corse with be the second of this year's eight Volant 207 clashes, and the first on asphalt. More than 20 crews are expected to enter a 200hp 207 RC Rallye which is equipped with a six-speed gearbox.

Frédéric BERTRAND (Customer Competition Programme Manager, Peugeot Sport): "The Volant 207 is the only single-make series in rallying that can truly boost a driver's career. When putting together the calendar, I wanted to broaden the opportunities it offered to provide the best grooming possible. This included incorporating more asphalt events, while also giving competitors a real chance to develop their gravel skills. We are the only brand to propose this sort of mixed-surface format which seeks to serve as a springboard for new talent. The Volant 207 is also one of the sport's more affordable competitions, including event-by-event finish-money, plus an exciting endof-year top prize in the form of a factory programme. It is a highly attractive package which guarantees a level sporting and technical playing field, and we expect almost 35 competitors will register this season."

An official partnership with Peugeot France and the attendance of Miss France
France's round of the IRC calendar will benefit from an association with Peugeot France and its dealership network. Running ahead of the field will be several RCZs, one of which will carry the 2011 Miss France, Laury Thilleman, as passenger.

Peugeout Sport/Acreditated and Autorized Press Media.