Steve Perez’ car on its way to Peru for 2008 Incas Rally
Steve Perez’ Mitsubishi EVO IX is currently on its way to Peru to compete in this year’s Incas Rally, the first time the Kick Rally Team driver will tackle this classic and demanding event.
The car has been specifically prepared by BTR Preparations for the rally and has already left its base in the UK the 24th of July; it is due to arrive by ship in the port of Lima the 21st of August.
Prior to shipping, the EVO IX completed a successful 100km event test, the Swansea Bay Rally in Wales, driven by the team’s Technical Manager Gavin Cox, while Perez drove his usual Ford Focus RS WRC on the event.
The 2004 British National Rally Champion also tested the car the day after the Swansea Bay event and reported no problems.
“The car felt really comfortable to drive, Gavin had no real problems during the rally and so I’m confident we have a good car for Peru and the Incas Rally,” said Perez.
“We have been preparing for months now and I’m really looking forward to my first time at this classic event to see for myself how unique and challenging it is. Hopefully we can encourage more European interest to contest the Incas event in the future.”
Perez and his team manager together with four technicians will arrive in Lima a week before the start of the competition while Peruvian co-driver Michael Baca will travel from the United States a week from now to do a route recce with seven-times Incas Rally winner Henry Bradley.
2006 Peruvian Rally Champion Raul Orlandini will provide experience and event support for Perez on the event with his team Orlandini Racing running the car with assistance from the BTR technicians. Orlandini will test the EVO with Perez a few days prior to the start of the rally to trim the car to suit the local conditions and the sinuous roads of the Andes.
Interviews and photo shoots with Steve Perez will be available starting Tuesday, 9th September and need to be requested in advance.
The event has five legs and starts in Lima (11 September). It goes through the historic cities of Huancayo, Ayacucho, Cuzco, and Arequipa, before returning to the capital on the 21st for the ceremonial finish.
