Bouffier takes positives from Canarias debut

Bryan Bouffier is determined to remain philosophical following his seventh place finish on Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Inglés last Saturday.

The Peugeot France driver started the island event leading the Intercontinental Rally Challenge after his sensational victory on Rallye Monte-Carlo in January.

However, he was unable to recapture the form that propelled him to superstardom three months ago when the IRC resumed on Gran Canaria from 14-16 April.

“For sure I’m disappointed to finish just seventh but it’s part of the race, we cannot win each time,” said the 33-year-old, who was co-driven by regular navigator Xavier Panseri. “My feeling was a bit better at the end of the race and I hope for sure we can be a bit better on the next race in Corsica. But we have learned a lot, that’s for sure.”

Despite his failure to challenge for victory on the asphalt event in his 207 Super 2000, Bouffier remains in the thick of the title battle, two points behind new pacesetter, the defending IRC champion Juho Hänninen.