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Loubet confirms ERC campaign 30 years after father Yves won European title

Pierre-Louis Loubet will embark on an FIA European Rally Championship campaign in 2019, 30 years after his father Yves landed title honours in a Lancia Delta Integrale.

Loubet Jr, 22, is confirmed for the season-opening Azores Rallye and Rally Islas Canarias and could tackle more rounds of the all-action championship depending on results.

Driving a ŠKODA Fabia R5 for French team 2C Compétition, Loubet can count on continued support from OSCARO, the world’s leading online retailer of original automotive spare parts and an Official Series Partner of the ERC.

“It’s two great events and for my experience it’s something great also,” said Corsican Loubet, who will be eligible for ERC1 Junior, the category for young stars in R5 cars. “In Azores last year we had some problems with the engine after six kilometres. That was a big disappointment after the long journey to get to the island and that is one of the reasons why we come back this year. When we [restarted] on the last day our times were good with no experience. We work hard to return this year and I am more than confident to do a good result.”

Loubet has completed a short shakedown test in his 2C Compétition Fabia and will get his first meaningful running in the Czech machine on the mid-Atlantic Ocean island of São Miguel, venue of the gravel-based Azores Rallye, on Monday 18 March.

Following the Azores Rallye from 21-23 March, French federation (FFSA)-supported Loubet will contest the all-asphalt Rally Islas Canarias from 2-4 May. He will also undertake a programme of world championship events.

Of the possibility of adding more events to his ERC schedule, Loubet said: “It depends on the results of Azores and Canarias, but for sure it is possible.”

Yves Loubet made 77 starts at ERC level and was a four-time winner during his capture of the FIA European Rally Championship title in 1989. It’s an achievement not lost on his son Pierre-Louis.  “If I can win the ERC title 30 years after my father for sure it can be very nice,” he said. “I will speak with him about doing more races because it would be a good anniversary.”

While the Azores Rallye and Rally Islas Canarias were not part of his 1989 schedule, Loubet Sr has tackled both events in the past and was an Azores winner in 1992.

Zdroj: fiaerc.com