the track for the forest
Rizla Suzuki MotoGP racer Loris Capirossi, will be swapping from two wheels to four when he takes part in the Suzuki Tempest Rally on Saturday 8th November 2008. The event includes 80km of testing gravel stages in the forests and Military training grounds around Aldershot in the UK.
In the rally, Capirossi will be driving a Suzuki Swift “Sport Cup” car as he joins the regular competitors on the last round of Britain’s premier one-make rally series. The cars are powered by a 1.6 litre, 125PS VVT engine and have been built at Suzuki’s UK rally team headquarters in Milton Keynes.
Prior to the event Capirossi will test his car to help familiarise him with not only driving on a loose surface, but also pace notes (detailed notes giving information on the road ahead) which will be read by experienced co-driver Craig Thorley.
Capirossi is no stranger to four wheels and is a true ‘petrolhead’. He has also competed in the Bologna Rallysprint in his home town and owns a number of exotic and classic cars.
Talking about the rally, Capirossi said “I am really looking forward to this as I have almost as much passion for cars as I do bikes. It is a big honour to be invited by Suzuki to take part in this rally and I will certainly try to be competitive, I know it will be tough racing against guys who do this type of motorsport every weekend, but I’m sure we’ll have some fun!”
Also taking part in the rally and creating a separate ‘rally within a rally’ will be Rizla Suzuki MotoGP Team Manager, Paul Denning. Denning will also be driving an identical Suzuki Swift Sport and will be hoping to get ahead of his superstar rider!
The Suzuki sponsored Tempest Rally is the last round of the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup in which competitors use identical cars and takes place over six rounds across the UK as part of the British Rally Championship. Championship Manager, Ian Phillipson said “It’s great to have another member of the Suzuki family joining us for our last round. We’ve had a great series so far and having Loris along for the finale will be great. I’m sure he’ll do well and have some fun along the way.”
