Bouffier boosted by Meeke’s vocal backing

Bryan Bouffier says Kris Meeke’s vocal support has given him a boost ahead of the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge season getting underway with the centenary edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo from 18-22 January.

Meeke, the 2009 IRC title-winner, included Bouffier on a list of five drivers he believed would be capable of winning the prestigious crown this year.

Bouffier, who impressed on four IRC outings in 2010 and will drive a Peugeot Sport 207 Super 2000 on Rallye Monte-Carlo, said: “I am happy that Kris has this point of view of me. Even though we have not competed together many times, he has obviously seen my speed so I am happy. Although I don’t know what I am doing after Monte-Carlo, my target is a full programme in the IRC and to be the champion. For this I need to show a good speed but I also need to be able to manage my speed.”

French champion Bouffier, 32, will continue his preparations for Rallye Monte-Carlo, when he will be co-driven by Xavier Panseri, with a test in France tomorrow.