Nasser Al-Attiyah aims to capitalise on lead at Morocco’s Rallye du Maroc amid a further six MINI ALL4 Racing crews
Round nine of the 10-round series of the 2015 FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup sees seven MINI ALL4 Racing line up to compete at the Rallye du Maroc, Morroco (3-9th October). This penultimate round is also the last desert rally of the 2015 championship and will serve well as preparation for the 2016 edition of the prestigious Dakar Rally
Relishing close action at Rallye du Maroc will be present leader Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT), ably supported once more by co-driver Mathieu Baumel (FRA). At the same time, Al-Attiyah is well aware that he and his co-driver could leave Morocco with the world title in their hands – and MINI once again FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup champion. A maximum of 60 points can be scored in Morocco and if Al-Attiyah succeeds in stretching his lead to more than 30 points he will lift the title because only 30 points will be awarded at the next and last race, Baja Portalegre.
The MINI ALL4 Racing crew of Dutch duo Erik Van Loon and Wouter Rosegaar once again look to the desert to increase their current championship standing of sixth position. The Dutch pairing are extremely experienced in desert conditions and will be sure to put on a strong racing challenge.
Mikko Hirvonen (FIN) will once once again sit alongside French co-pilot Michel Perin for their second outing as a MINI ALL4 Racing crew. Their first race at Baja Aragón delivered an exceptional third-place finish and, obviously, showed they are force to be reckoned with. This will be the first time Hirvonen will drive a MINI ALL4 Racing on sand in race conditions but ever the professional Hirvonen is sure to adapt to the conditions very quickly.
For Adam Malysz (POL) and co-driver Xavier Panseri (FR), Rallye du Maroc will be the pair’s third outing in the secure safety seats of a MINI ALL4 Racing. Malysz first got to grips with MINI ALL4 Racing at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (round 2, 27th March – 2nd April). With his growing experience of the MINI ALL4 Racing, there is no doubt Malysz could spring a surprise result by rally end.
Polish motorcycle cross country rally star Jakub Przygoński will be looking to extend his four-wheel cross-country rally experience with his second race in a MINI ALL4 Racing. With six starts in the motorcycle category of the legendary Dakar Rally, Przygoński’s first race in a MINI ALL4 Racing was on home territory in the 2015 Baja Poland, where he drove to a well-deserved and creditable seventh place. His co-driver for Rallye du Maroc is Belarusian Andrei Rudnitski.
British driver and youngest of the MINI ALL4 Racing drivers Harry Hunt also looks to the Moroccan desert regions to boost his MINI ALL4 Racing experience. With the 2016 Dakar rally approaching fast, Rallye du Maroc presents itself as a formidable training ground but one the young driver will enjoy. Further coaching will come courtesy of German co-pilot and mentor Andreas Schulz.
The final MINI ALL4 Racing crew to compete at Rallye du Maroc will see the debut of Nazareno Lopez (ARG) and Sergio Lafuente of Uruguay. Both are experienced in their respective seats and, while their first ride in a MINI ALL4 Racing, their competitiveness and desire to achieve success is no less than any other MINI ALL4 Racing crew.
Rallye du Maroc takes place 3rd October with pre-race scrutineering at the city of Zagora. From 5th October until 9th October, racing gets underway and consists of three special stages arranged as ‘loops’ around the city. This will follow with two other stages at Agadir. Total distance of the special stages will be approximately 1360 kilometres before the final day’s prize presentation ceremony.
