Campana to start Monte-Carlo Rally with Munaretto

Corsican rally driver Pierre Campana - who shot to fame after finishing on the Junior World Championship podium in France’s round of the WRC - will get his 2010 season off to a flying start by contesting the legendary Monte Carlo Rally: the oldest and most prestigious event in the history of the sport.

Pierre will drive the latest-specification Renault Clio R3 run by the Italian Munaretto team, which he used on two qualifying events of the Renault Clio West European Trophy last year. Thanks to a win in Sanremo and a podium result on the Rallye du Var, the 24-year-old actually claimed third overall in the series, despite only contesting a pair of events.

This year, the newly-named Clio R3 European Trophy gets underway on the Monte Carlo Rally, where Pierre will face drivers of the calibre of Renault’s Formula 1 ace Robert Kubica and Belgian star Kris Princen, as well as the Intercontinental Rally Challenge regulars.

The 78th Monte Carlo Rally begins on Tuesday 19 January with a selection stage close to Valence, in order to determine the start order for the main action that kicks off the following morning. Then the crews complete four stages through the Ardeche on Wednesday before returning to Valence.

On Thursday the crews contest the bulk of the action with six more Ardeche stages before the rally builds to a climax with five stages on Friday: including four runs over the legendary Col de Turini at night. The crews then return to the harbourside at Monaco for the rally finish in the early hours of Saturday morning.

In total the competitive distance of the rally is 405 kilometres spread over 15 stages, 14 of which will be televised live.

The Monte Carlo Rally is the event that every driver wants to win, due to its notoriously challenging conditions and rich history. The event is renowned for its changing weather, which means that the surfaces and levels of grip can vary hugely - even within one stage.

Tyre choice and strategy is crucial, making Monte Carlo an event that is won by using the head as much as the right foot. The final Turini stages are particularly demanding, with the top of the mountain frequently covered in snow, but the lower slopes comparatively dry. Thousands of fans always turn out to see their heroes in action, adding to the dramatic spectacle.

For Pierre and his co-driver Sabrina de Castelli, this will all be a new experience, but it is one they are looking forward to, together with their backers Ellip6 - who have produced a new simulator entertainment concept - and the Munaretto team. Other supporters include Native Dreams, while tyres will be supplied by BFGoodrich.

The Quadra Sports driver commented: "Driving on the Monte Carlo Rally is like a dream for me. More than just a rally, this is a legend. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped make this drive possible, and I’m determined to do my very best to secure a top result."