Neuville confirmed for four more IRC events

Thierry Neuville says confirmation from his bosses at Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg that he will contest Barum Czech Rally Zlín later this month keeps alive his hopes of capturing the Intercontinental Rally Challenge crown.

Neuville, who drives a Peugeot 207 Super 2000 run by the Kronos Racing operation, demonstrated his IRC title credentials with a podium finish on Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Inglés and a standout victory on Tour de Corse-E.Leclerc earlier this season. However, crashes on Rallye Monte-Carlo and the GEKO Ypres Rally, have left him fifth in the drivers’ classification, 35 points behind the current leader, ŠKODA Motorsport’s Juho Hänninen.

“Knowing that I am doing Barum means everything is still possible for the championship during the second half of the season,” said Neuville, 23. “I won’t be so easy to go there and try to win but if I can be in a strong position at the finish then I have a chance for the championship.”

Neuville and co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul will also contest Mecsek Rallye and Rallye Sanremo in September before tackling RACMSA Rally of Scotland in October. An entry on the Cyprus Rally in November remains a possibility depending on whether Neuville is still in contention for the drivers’ title.