Neuville takes the president for a spin

Less than a week after his thrilling victory on the Cyprus Golden Stage Rally, which took place the day after the Intercontinental Rally Challenge season drew to a close on the Mediterranean island, Thierry
Neuville was back in action in his Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg 207 Super 2000.

However, Neuville’s regular co-driver Nicolas Gilsoul was stood down for the occasion. Instead, Francois Cornelis, the president of the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium (RACB), accompanied Neuville during shakedown for Rallye du Condroz-Huy, the final round of the Belgian national championship, last weekend.

Neuville is a member of the RACB National Team and Cornelis relished the chance to go for a high-speed ride with his country’s leading young rally driver. “It was an amazing experience”, said Cornelis. “Thierry is a genuine hope. It’s clear he deserves his place in the RACB National Team.”

Reunited with Gilsoul for the rally itself, Neuville was leading when the event was halted following an accident involving another competitor that claimed the lives of two spectators. Neuville and IRC
rival Freddy Loix both withdrew from the event prior to its restart as a mark of respect.