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Basso keen on PROTON for IRC after test

   

Giandomenico Basso has tested for PROTON Motorsports and says he would seriously consider driving for the Malaysian team in this year’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

The 37-year-old drove a Satria Neo Super 2000 on asphalt roads in the Liguria region of Italy last week. Following the run, the four-time IRC event winner said he had enjoyed the experience.

“It was very stable and well balanced,” said Basso. “We planned to use a road that I am familiar with as a benchmark to see how this car compared with other Super 2000 cars I have driven in the past. Unfortunately that road was covered in snow so we went to a different road instead. But there was definitely potential with the car and I enjoyed working with the team. They made me feel very welcome, they worked very hard and I was impressed with their approach.”

He continued: “I would like to come back to the IRC. That is my focus and that is the championship I enjoy. Nothing has been formally agreed but if PROTON propose me something I would think very seriously about accepting it.”

PROTON has confirmed Swede PG Andersson for an expanded programme of IRC events this season but has yet to finalise the identity of its second driver.

   

Giandomenico Basso enjoyed PROTON test and is now considering an IRC bid

   

Kronos IRC 2WD Cup attack for De Mevius

   

Kronos Racing will branch out into the Intercontinental Rally Challenge 2WD Cup with a single Peugeot 207 R3T for Ghislain De Mevius.

The 22-year-old from Belgium will take part on between five and six rounds of the series this season in the front-wheel-drive machine as he looks to build his experience of international competition.

De Mevius is the son of Belgian rallying legend Gregoire, who competes on classic endurance rallies with Kronos.

“He’s a young and talented driver and he’ll be doing these rallies to learn and improve,” said joint Kronos boss Marc van Dalen. “The car may not be at the full level of a Clio R3 or Citroen DS3 R3 but he will be able to gain experience and I’m sure the other drivers [in the Kronos team] will be able to help him. I think he can be a star of the future.”

De Mevius’ programme will be announced shortly.

   

Gardemeister reveals junior team plan

   

Leading driver Toni Gardemeister is planning to establish a junior team to contest selected rounds of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge 2WD Cup this season.

The Finn, who will tackle eight rounds of the series in a Skoda Fabia Super 2000, has set up his own operation, TGS Worldwide, from a base in Tallinn, Estonia.

He said: “We believe that it could be a good start for some talented drivers who want to begin their rally career on an international level or get new experience. The IRC 2WD Cup is open for everybody and drivers who have small budgets can get maximum benefits here with our team.”

TGS is planning to field a single M-Sport Ford Fiesta R2, similar to the type of car Harry Hunt used to win the IRC 2WD Cup title in 2010.

   

Miclotte relishing Canarias night stages

   

Co-driver Frederic Miclotte says he can’t wait to make his Rally Islas Canaris El Corte Ingles debut next month because of his love of night stages.

The island event, round two of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, will feature two tests run under the cover of darkness.

Miclotte, who will navigate Freddy Loix in a Skoda Fabia Super 2000, said: “It is a very special being in a car in the dark. It is just me and the driver and you feel completely alone. The headlights we have in the car means it is not difficult for the vision and I have two lights from the roof to read my pacenotes. It is just a fantastic feeling.”

Last year’s Rally Islas Canarias winner, Jan Kopecky, is also a fan of the night stages. He said: “For drivers and for spectators this will be something different and I imagine a lot of the spectators will stay on for the night because the two night stages are run again the next day. It will be a huge celebration for the fans and a great atmosphere I am sure.”

   

Frederic Miclotte is looking forward to more night action after Monte-Carlo run

   

2011 IRC Permanent Press Credentials

   

The deadline for applying for a 2011 IRC Permanent Press Credential has now expired. Any Permanent Press Credentials issued but not collected on Rallye Monte-Carlo will be available for collection on Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Ingles.

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