PIERRE CAMPANA GETS OFF TO A WINNING START AS A DRIVE-PRO DRIVER WITH VICTORY IN RICHARD BURNS MEMORIAL RALLY
Posted: August 15, 2011 7:50 PM
Pierre Campana has taken a confident victory in this weekend’s Richard Burns Memorial Rally, his first full rally event as a Drive-Pro driver behind the wheel of a MINI John Cooper Works WRC rally car, with which he will contest next week’s ADAC Rallye Deutschland.
The Richard Burns rally, which takes place annually as a tribute to the former world rally champion, attracted an impressive entry list with well over 100 participants. Held on asphalt-only stages, the event has given Pierre valuable and relevant practice in the run up to next week’s event, which will be Pierre’s WRC debut.
Working with the support of Prodrive team staff, who run the works MINI programme, Pierre and his co-driver Sabrina de Castelli were up against a wealth of experienced local rally drivers, well acquainted with the layout of the RAF Marham course. Pierre and Sabrina enjoyed a successful two day event, winning six out of the eight stages and finishing a close second in SS1 and SS3 on Saturday, while paying tribute to Burns.
It was announced last week that Campana would be contesting two rounds of the 2011 World Rally Championship with Team Drive-Pro in a MINI John Cooper Works WRC, thanks in no small part to the support he is receiving from Drive-Pro and the French Automotive Sport Federation (FFSA) who have nominated Pierre to be head of the Rally Team France effort for 2011.
This weekend’s Richard Burns rally follows one full day of testing and promotional running that Pierre undertook at Alès-Cevennes in the south of France last week, all contributing to his learning curve ahead of the ADAC Rallye Deutschland next week. Victory in this weekend’s memorial event will undoubtedly help Pierre’s confidence heading into his first rally in a full specification WRC car.
Pierre Campana said:
“The Richard Burns Memorial Rally has been a remarkable event and it has been an absolute honour to join so many people in paying tribute to such a rally legend. I would like to thank the organisers of the event for their hospitality and their fantastic organisation. We wanted to use the event as a way of getting more mileage in the MINI before we compete in Rallye Deutschland next week, so it is very pleasing to have won the rally, particularly against such knowledgeable and passionate competitors. Stage wins and times were not part of our plan, but it has been a very valuable event in terms of understanding the car on asphalt and in changing weather conditions. The car felt good, the Michelin tyres worked well and it’s been good for Sabrina and I to make our debut as Drive-Pro drivers, working with Prodrive staff, who gave us a great support, all of which adds to our preparations for Germany, which I am really looking forward to.”
MINI WRC Team to star at Richard Burns Memorial Rally
Posted: July 16, 2011 10:38 PM
As part of its major initiative to support the creation of a national network of Brain Centres in collaboration with the Brain & Spine Foundation, the Richard Burns Foundation’s next calendar event is the Memorial Rally on August 13/14, which will be contested by the MINI WRC Team with Dani Sordo and Kris Meeke.
The rally, in its fourth year, is kindly hosted by Royal Air Force Marham and organized by Kings Lynn & District Motor Club . In 2000, Richard completed a sortie in a Tornado GR4 alongside Sqn Ldr Tim Rust, accompanied by the then Wing Commander Phil Osborn. In reciprocation, Richard gave members of the aircrew and other serving staff at RAF Marham stage rides in a Subaru Impreza WRC. The enduring goodwill between Richard and the Royal Air Force led to the inception of the rally, which in the past four years has attracted full entries of clubmen competing alongside international stars such as Markko Martin and Mark Higgins, and in 2011, includes the sensation of the newest and most vibrant team to contest the World Rally Championship, the MINI WRC Team.
RAF Marham is currently at the heart of the UK’s overseas engagements in Afghanistan and Libya, with Squadron’s from the Norfolk base supporting the continuing Operation ELLAMY humanitarian air support in North Africa along with the support to UK and Coalition Troops as part of Operation HERRICK patrolling the skies over Afghanistan. Marham is home to over 3,600 personnel and away from conflict, is adding a fascinating dimension to the rally with a Tornado flypast cueing the start of the event to fly bys from aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
With action on the ground and in the sky, the event is more than just a rally; a hanger has been dedicated to a Remembering Richard exhibition, featuring previously unseen film footage of Richard’s life and times, displays of his competition cars and associated memorabilia from his motorsport career. As much as exhibit the collection from archives, those attending the rally are encouraged to contribute to the displays with photowalls and exhibition space for personal memories of Richard.
The event offers something for everyone and includes fun fair rides and other attractions for the family.
The rally is a single-venue tarmac event on the Royal Air Force Marham airfield and includes stages of 12-14 miles. Organised by the Kings Lynn & District Motor Club (KLDMC), tickets are £10 on the gate and £8 in advance, with children under 16 going free. More information for entrants and spectators as well as advance tickets can be found at the official rally website
MINI John Cooper Works WRC
Posted: June 8, 2011 5:05 PM
MINI John Cooper Works WRC will be attending the 2011 Richard Burns Memorial Rally
Kris Meeke is expected to drive one day, and Dani Sordo on the other day.
Provisional Entry List
Posted: June 8, 2011 5:04 PM
Regulations / Details
Posted: June 8, 2011 5:01 PM
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