Van Merksteijn Jr trials DS3 WRC

While the bulk of the world championship regulars are currently in Mexico, Peter van Merksteijn Jr has been busy in France testing the Citroen DS3 WRC he will use from Vodafone Rally de Portugal onwards.

The 28-year-old Dutchman covered approximately 150 kilometres during his first try-out of the DS3 in the Vosges region of France on Monday alongside Belgian co-driver Eddy Chevaillier.

Following the test with the factory Citroen team, van Merksteijn Jr said: “The DS3 WRC drives fantastic. We drove a lot of kilometers in the car and [Citroen] gave me all the opportunity to familiarise myself with this car.”

Van Merksteijn Jr’s test took place on a technical stretch of gravel road. He continued: “The car drives like a go-kart and I got the feeling that the car responds very well to what I want to do with it. We drove with various different set-ups during the day and I am very impressed with the car. It is a very professional team at Citroen Racing and I am returning home with a very positive feeling.”

Ahead of his first competitive outing in Portugal later this month, which marks his first of 10 events this season running under the Van Merksteijn Motorsport banner, van Merksteijn Jr is planning a further test.

“Before the start of the Rally of Portugal we will test one more time with the DS3 WRC so Peter Jr will have an optimum preparation for his first rally with the new car,” said Gerard Grouve, the Van Merksteijn Motorsport team manager. “It is a very pleasant and open co-operation with the people of Citroen Racing. Therefore we have very good expectations for the coming season.”

Van Merksteijn Motorsport will be eligible for manufacturer championship points for the first time this season after registering as a WRC Team for 2011.