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Peugeot Sport continues to back young talent in ERC

Peugeot Sport will continue to use the FIA European Rally Championship to showcase young talent with confirmation that Yohan Rossel and Catie Munnings will compete in the ERC3 category for Team Peugeot Rally Academy in 2019.

Rossel, 24, gets his first ERC campaign as the winner of the France-based 208 Rally Cup, while Munnings, 21, will receive support from Peugeot UK as she joins Team Peugeot Rally Academy for the first time, following an impressive 2018 ERC Junior U27 season when she scored points on all six rounds.

Laurent Guyot, Manager, Customer Competition Programmes, Peugeot Sport, said: “The decision to offer Yohan Rossel a seat with Team Peugeot Rally Academy was a perfectly logical step given the results he has achieved and his performance during last year’s 208 Rally Cup.

“Yohan provided another illustration of his speed and consistency in the Peugeot 208 R2 by winning the two-wheel-drive class on January’s Rallye Monte-Carlo which was a particularly demanding event. Peugeot Sport has always sought to help talented youngsters make it to the top and Yohan fits perfectly with this policy.

“It’s also a pleasure to have Catie Munnings with us at Team Peugeot Rally Academy this season. Catie is backed by Peugeot UK and has good experience of the ERC, improving with every participation.”

Jean-Baptiste Ley, the ERC Co-ordinator, said: “Peugeot Sport’s decision to continue its ERC participation is another endorsement of the championship and the vital role it performs in equipping young drivers progressing from national level with the skills to step up to the world stage.

“In Yohan Rossel we welcome a young talent from France with a strong reputation and a background of success in the Peugeot 208 R2.

“Meanwhile, for Catie Munnings to get this opportunity is fantastic news and a reflection on the excellent progress she has made since joining the ERC as a virtual novice in 2016. Her commitment to the ERC and hard work has really paid off. We have no doubt she will make the most of this opportunity.”

Munnings: same car, new co-driver
Briton Catie Munnings has recruited Norwegian Veronica Engan to co-drive her Team Peugeot Rally Academy 208 R2 in 2019 as she focuses on ERC3 points. “I’m going to participate in my third ERC season,” said Munnings. “I like this championship, I feel comfortable and I know the rallies well. With the support of Peugeot UK, I am joining the Team Peugeot Rally Academy this. I started my career driving a Peugeot 208 R2 and I’m really proud to join the team and wear the colours of Peugeot Sport, an additional motivation. We look forward to launching our season with Veronica.”

Busy year for big prospect Rossel
Yohan Rossel will combine a season of French championship action in a Citroën C3 R5 with his maiden ERC campaign alongside co-driver Benoȋt Fulcrand. “To be able to contest FIA ERC3 with Team Peugeot Rally Academy is a tremendous opportunity,” said Rossel. “The ERC, the events and the team will all be new to us but it’s an exciting challenge. At the same time, we are already familiar with the 208 R2, of course, and we can’t wait for our new adventure with Peugeot Sport to get going. This is a big chance for us and we are thrilled at the prospect of starting our first ERC round.”

Zdroj: fiaerc.com