Chris Atkinson jumps to newly formed Citroen Junior Team, for Rally Ireland 2009

Image: ©willyweyens-rallyworld

Citroen Introduces The Citroen Junior Team
Citroën Sport is delighted to announce the launch of the Citroën Junior Team which will run as a 'Manufacturers 2' team in the 2009 FIA World Rally Championship. The programme will be handled by Citroën Sport Technologies and will feature several talented young drivers over the year. The full list of names, and the individual events they will each contest, have yet to be finalised, however.
"We are absolutely thrilled to be able to confirm the Citroën Junior Team as an M2 entry in the 2009 World Rally Championship," says Citroën Sport Director Olivier Quesnel. "As required by the regulations, the Citroën Junior Team will contest at least eight events in order to qualify for Manufacturers' points. Conrad Rautenbach, Evgeny Novikov and Sébastien Ogier will form the mainstay of the line-up, while Chris Atkinson is due to take part in the first round of the new year, the Rally Ireland, in a Citroën C4 WRC."
"It is no coincidence that we have chosen to employ the word 'Junior' in the team's official name," points out Citroën Sport Technologies Manager Benoît Nogier. "It is an M2 team which will predominantly run drivers who are currently learning the sport, and their average age will be 22. Our aims are to develop the commercial side which we began in 2008 and also enable our crews to benefit from our expertise. The programme will allow them to gain valuable extra experience which will put them in good stead for the next step of their career."
The set-up of the operation will be the same as that which ran Urmo Aava and Conrad Rautenbach in 2008 and will continue to feature the Citroën C4 WRC. On events, Citroën Sport Technologies will be based close to Citroën Sport's facilities and will once again be able to benefit from the latter's know-how. The Citroën Junior Team brings a further boost to the brand's commitment to the WRC and will be able to count on the expertise of the World Championship-winning squad throughout the year.
"Following the encouraging results he obtained in 2008, Conrad Rautenbach will again contest every round of the 2009 championship," specifies Benoît Nogier. "He will be joined on at least eight of those 12 rounds by the very young Russian driver Evgeny Novikov who will be competing in a WRC car for the first time and who has also shown that he has plenty of potential. The programme of the Junior World Champion Sébastien Ogier, who made a name for himself on the recent Wales Rally GB, currently includes six events. Last but not least, we will be joined in Ireland by Australia's Chris Atkinson who is already a familiar face in the sport. It is our belief that our association with Chris will not stop there."
The crews who have been confirmed to drive for the Citroën Junior Team are all very aware of the opportunity they have been given. They go into 2009 with great enthusiasm and extremely determined, yet perfectly conscious of the challenge that awaits them.


The Citroën Junior Team drivers
Conrad Rautenbach: born November 12, 1984, in Zimbabwe.Rally debut: 2001 (Group N Toyota Corolla)WRC debut: 2004, Monte Carlo (Ford Puma, retired)WRC starts: 43.Starts in a WRC car: 16.Best result: 4th (Argentina, 2008, driving a Citroën C4 WRC).
Sébastien Ogier: born December 17, 1983, in Gap (France).Rally debut: 2006 (Peugeot's Volant 206 single-make series). Member of the Rallye Jeunes FFSAteam.WRC debut: 2008, Mexico (Citroën C2 Super 1600, 8th overall, 1st J-WRC).WRC starts: 8.Starts in a WRC car: 1 (Wales, 2008, driving a C4 WRC, 26th overall).2008 Junior World Champion driving a Citroën C2 Super 1600.Best result: 8th (Mexico, 2008, driving a Citroën C2 Super 1600).
Evgeny Novikov: born September 19, 1990, in Moscow (Russia).Rally debut: 2005 (as a co-driver sitting alongside his father).Debut as a driver: 2006.WRC debut: 2007, Wales Rally GB (Mitsubishi Lancer, retired).WRC starts: 7.Starts in a WRC car: 0.2006 Russian Champion. At the age of 16, he led the opening leg of the 2007 Rally Russia beforeretiring with engine failure.13th, 2008 Production World Rally Championship.Best result: 11th (Japan, 2008, driving a Mitsubishi).
Chris Atkinson: born November 18, 1979, in Bega (Australia).Rally debut: 2000 (Toyota Corolla).WRC debut: 2004, New Zealand (Subaru Impreza, retired).WRC starts: 66 (all in a Subaru Impreza).Starts in a WRC car: 62.Best result: 2nd (Mexico and Argentina, 2008, driving a Subaru Impreza).



Communication CITROËN SPORT

Kavanagh set to captain Donegal

New Donegal manager John Joe Doherty has confirmed that Rory Kavanagh will captain the team when they get their Dr McKenna Cup campaign underway in January.
The 26-year-old from St Eunan's of Letterkenny will take the mantle from Kevin Cassidy, who is unavailable for the McKenna Cup campaign where Donegal will play University of Ulster Jordanstown, Fermanagh and Derry.
One man who might have challenged Kavanagh for the skipper's role was 2006 All-Star Karl Lacey.
However, the Four Masters clubman is currently taking a sabbatical in Australia and New Zealand, but has given his word to Doherty that he will return before the Ulster championship meeting with Antrim in June.
'I spoke to Karl on two occasions before he left. He was hoping to be back by May. We hope he keeps that schedule and we would be very happy if he came back sooner,' Doherty said.
Doherty has also named his panel for the McKenna Cup with Ciaran Bonner, Stephen McDermott and Brendan Boyle recalled to the fray, while Ross Wherity of St Eunan's is the new face on the 30-man panel.
Injury prevents Colm McFadden, Barry Dunnion, Michael Murphy and Michael Hegarty from joining the panel, although Doherty is hopeful the quartet will be available for Donegal's first NFL fixture of 2009 away to Kerry.

Source: RTE sports

Dingle, Ireland, called "most beautiful place on Earth" by National Geographic

DINGLE, Ireland (CNN) -- Fewer tourists and relatively warm temperatures may be reason enough to put Ireland on your list of winter travel destinations, especially Dingle Peninsula, once ranked by National Geographic Traveler as "the most beautiful place on Earth." ..read more

Monticello Motor Club "Let the Snow fly"

Winter Driving Series – Monticello Motor Club Let the snow fly – The MMC Winter Driving Series is designed to deliver driving excitement, rally car style, on our track that happens to be covered with ice and snow!

On December 20th, 2008, weather permitting, MMC will be opening for the first time in the winter. An exciting fun filled day of getting sideways and mastering four-wheel drifts awaits you.

Come check out Dave Mirra, BMX legend and 2008 Rally America Rookie of the Year. He will be driving his Open Class 2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car. Vermont Sports Car, who runs Subaru Rally Team USA will be bringing Travis Pastrana's championship winning 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI rally car for participants to check out. Utilizing the South Circuit, groomed to perfection, the Winter Driving Series will be open to all licensed driving enthusiasts. Bring your friends and family to watch as you test the limits of your car through time-trials, open lapping sessions, and other exciting formats. Just because winter is here doesn’t mean the motoring fun must come to a halt.

So let it snow at the Monticello Motor Club. Winter Driving Series Highlights:

• MMC South Circuit - 1.8 Miles with 11-turns consisting of large sweepers, increasing and decreasing radius corners, and thrilling elevation changes.

• Exciting Formats – Go against the clock in head to head time trials or test, tune, and practice your skills in our open lapping sessions.

• Rally Events – Break out the rally car, mix it up with fellow drivers of Rally New York and the USRC to put on a show for spectators.

2008-2009 Schedule Weather Permitting:

Please call or check http://www.drivemmc.com/ for the latest track conditions. Schedule will be updated by noon the day preceding each event.

Event Location: 67 Cantrell Road, Monticello, NY 12701

Registration and Vehicle Inspection: 8:00am - 9:00amEvent Hours: 9:00am - 4:30pm•

 Dec. 20, 2008 – Opening Day - Testing/Open Sessions/Time Trials – Open to First 50 Cars – Limited space available, call to register today!•

Hospitality/Driver Services Food and beverages will be available to spectators and drivers for purchase. Facilities are limited so please dress appropriately. Rules and Regulations Events from January - March will be limited to the first 100 cars and pre-registration is required. Entrants will have the option of participating in time trials, open lapping sessions, and other formats (subject to MMC participation agreement)! Seatbelts and helmets must be worn at all times. Studded tires are not permitted. Admission is $250 per driver and $15 per person for spectators. MMC requires a credit card authorization form on file to cover additional fees for towing and any damage to the facility. All drivers must read and acknowledge additional rules and regulations in the participation agreement prior to entry.Vehicle Inspection Participant’s vehicles are required to pass an inspection. This is to ensure no studded tires are equipped, working seat belts are installed, all safety lights are operating properly and each driver has an approved SNELL 95 or newer helmet. Vehicles will also be inspected to ensure there are no loose objects within, and that the vehicle is track ready.

Check out http://www.drivemmc.com/ for all details, scheduling and updates.

We will be back in 2009

Look for regular updates in 2009, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and peaceful holiday season.