Neuville the right choice for top IRC drive

Thierry Neuville’s success in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2011 proves Team Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg was justified in its decision to hand the youngster his chance in the all-action series.

That’s the view of the car importer’s Adelheid Terryn who was part of the team that handed Neuville a partial programme of IRC rallies in 2010 and 10-round schedule in 2011.

Neuville was in contention for the IRC drivers’ crown heading into the final round in Cyprus last month after winning the rounds in Corsica and Sanremo earlier in the year alongside co-driver and fellow Belgian Nicolas Gilsoul.

The 23-year-old is set to make selective IRC appearances in 2012 after securing a world championship programme with Citroën next season.

“Our plan was for [Thierry] to have a learning period of three years, but he has only needed two, which proves that our choice was a good one,” said Terryn. “We’re delighted that he has been given the chance to continue his career within the PSA Group in the WRC.”