New Rally. New Generation.

8 Jan 2010 18:0

Kubica to make IRC debut on Monte Carlo Rally

Renault Formula One driver Robert Kubica will enter Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo, the opening round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, in a Renault Clio R3.

The 25-year-old is a keen rally fan and has taken part in two rallies so far at the wheel of a Clio R3. He crashed on his debut event, the Taormina-Messina Rally in Sicily last November but, went on to finish 29th overall on the Rallye du Var in France later that month.

Kubica, who will be co-driven by fellow Pole Jakub Gerber, said: “It’s no secret that I like rallying so I try this for fun. Also, there is time in the Formula One winter break to do this.”

The rally starts in Valence, France, on 19 January and finishes in Monte Carlo on January 23. It covers 405 competitive kilometres over 15 special stages and will receive extensive live television coverage on Eurosport. Reconnaissance runs from 16-18 January with the prologue stage, which determines the starting order for the first leg, taking place on the evening of 19 January.

As well as counting for the IRC, the Monte Carlo Rally is the first round of the six-event Clio R3 European Trophy.

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