Neuville secures six-event IRC deal

Thierry Neuville will contest six rounds of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in a Peugeot Belgium–Luxembourg-backed 207 Super 2000 run by Kronos Racing.

Neuville, 21, will begin his programme on Rally Islas Canarias from 29 April-1 May and will also contest the rallies in Sardinia, Ypres, Zlín, Sanremo and Scotland.

Nicolas Klinger, who partnered Nicolas Vouilloz to the IRC drivers’ title in 2008, will navigate Neuville, who is regarded as one of the rising stars of Belgium rallying.

Marc van Dalen, boss of the Kronos team, said: “It’s very good news and I have no doubt that Thierry is a very talented young driver. He still has a lot to learn but he can do this by getting to the end of each rally.

“It is very important that he will have Nicolas with him. He is very experienced but he also knows the team and this will help Thierry to concentrate on his driving.”

Neuville will drive the car new team-mate Kris Meeke used in Brazil and Argentina in Canarias before he switches to the ex-Freddy Loix 207 from June’s Geko Ypres Rally onwards. Meeke will switch back to the car he used on Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo.

Van Dalen said he was confident that Neuville will get to test his 207 in Canarias on the Monday prior to the event, round four of the IRC.