Campana set for competitive start to 2012

Corsican rally star Pierre Campana is looking forward to a competitive start to 2012 as Rallye Monte Carlo, the first round of this year’s World Rally Championship, gets underway this week.

Pierre has the honour of flying the MINI WRC flag at this year’s Monte Carlo event, continuing his association with the legendary MINI marque from last year, and will be using his wealth of experience to help the MINI WRC Team in its first Monte Carlo.

Pierre was in dominant form at last year’s event, taking a comfortable victory in the 2WD class as part of the IRC championship, so he brings with him relevant and beneficial knowledge of the course. In keeping with its WRC status for 2012, there will be an increased mileage of special stages with a 20% increase compared to last year.

Driving the number 52 MINI John Cooper Works WRC car with his co-driver Sabrina de Castelli, all eyes will be on Pierre as he continues his adaptation to the competitive world of WRC. Together with backing from the French motorsport federation, Pierre competed in two rounds of the WRC with the Drive-Pro team last year, taking points in the France-Alsace event, so he has firm foundations upon which to build.

This year’s event will be the 80th edition of the Rallye Monte Carlo and also holds special memories for MINI. Even though the MINI WRC Team will be taking part in the Monte Carlo Rally for the first time, this is an event that the Mini-Cooper ‘S’ won three times in the sixties.

Pierre has already carried out a test with the MINI John Cooper Works WRC in France last week as part of his preparation for the event, ensuring that he also got some practice in snow conditions that drivers might have to negotiate this week.

Pierre, what are your aims for this Monte Carlo rally?

“Firstly, I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity by Prodrive and to have the chance to compete in a third WRC event with the MINI John Cooper Works WRC car. I spent a lot of time driving the car in the second half of 2011 and I feel that I have developed a good understanding of the car’s behaviour and how to get the best out of it. I am pleased that Prodrive acknowledged my performances with the car last year and have placed their trust in me for Monte Carlo, a rally I know well. I will do all I can to deliver a competitive result for myself, Prodrive and MINI.”

You obviously like Monte Carlo, how will your experience help with the MINI?

“There are a few changes to the route this year because it is a WRC event, but I know a large percentage of the course from my involvement last year. I won the 2WD class in the 2011 Monte Carlo rally, as part of the IRC, so I have good memories of the event from that. Being a WRC event, this year will have its own challenges but I think I am ready to tackle anything that comes my way.”

What is the key to doing well at Monte Carlo?

“The thing about Monte Carlo is that it is a bit of a lottery at times and you need to be on the right tyres at precisely the right time, especially in the event of snow. I had some testing time with the MINI in France last week, including some practice in snow conditions, which I absolutely loved and I am as well prepared as I can be for any conditions. The car is fantastic to drive and I cannot wait to get started. It is a real pleasure to be competing against some of the greatest rally drivers in the world but I will adopt my usual approach, taking each stage as it comes and getting the best out of myself.”