Basso considers Peugeot switch for Monte

Intercontinental Rally Challenge event winner Giandomenico Basso has not ruled out switching to a Peugeot 207 Super 2000 for January’s Rallye Monte-Carlo, having entered the 2011 IRC season-opener without specifying a car.

Basso has been linked to a drive in Abarth’s new R3T 500, but the Italian would prefer to aim for an overall result on the 100th anniversary of the legendary event, and for that he needs an S2000 machine.

There are currently two options on the table: an Abarth Grande Punto run by a private team, or a Peugeot 207 S2000, run by Italian squad Friulmotor. Basso will use backing from private investors to fund the drive. While the Peugeot is the more modern car, Basso’s intimate knowledge of the Grande Punto, which he has driven since 2006, could be an equal advantage.

"I just need to evaluate what is best and decide soon," said Basso. "Whatever happens we will be running as privateers, but I’ve got some good knowledge of the event from the past and we just want to do as well as we can. You always need a bit of good luck in Monte-Carlo as well, but hopefully we can be in a position to take advantage of any opportunities that come our way."