20-21 August 2010
The Ulster Rally gets underway in one week, based in Antrim to the north east ofIreland. The start of this event will have a special significance for the DS3 R3, whichmakes its competition debut. The crew of Bryan Bouffier/Xavier Panseri aredetermined to showcase the capabilities of the latest challenger from Citroën to thebest of their abilities.
Behind the scenes, the entire Citroën Racing team is eager to see their car in action, whichwas created in the French company’s workshops and then developed over a bespoke testprogramme. But this will be the first time that the DS3 goes head to head with its rivals,before being offered for sale to customers. In a baptism of fire, Citroën’s latest two-wheeldrive machine, equipped with a 210-horsepower engine, will rack up its first competitivemiles on extremely specialised terrain. Irish asphalt is notorious for its lack of grip andbumpy surfaces, which the new car will face over the 205 stage kilometres of the rally. Thefamously changeable weather in Ulster could also play a key role over the course of theevent. Whatever happens, French driver Bryan Bouffier – who was an important part of thenew car’s development programme – will be doing his best to take the DS3 R3 towardsthe top of the leaderboard, although he will face considerably more powerful localopposition.
Jean-François Liénéré, in charge of customer competition at Citroën Racing, commented:“While we have been very pleased with our progress in testing, nothing replicates realcompetition. The Ulster Rally is a very tricky event where competitors have to deal withnarrow roads that offer little grip. The variable weather conditions in Ireland are capable ofspringing both nice and nasty surprises so these are sure to be a determining factor in theoutcome of the rally. The ideal result for us in Antrim would be to win Group R and finishin the top five overall. From a sporting point of view, Ireland and Great Britain are veryimportant customer competition markets for our company. Citroën has a strong presencethanks to the Citroën Racing Trophy, which boasts a high profile and several top qualitydrivers. These people are very interested in the new DS3 R3 and I believe that our latestchallenger will live up to all their expectations.”
Not only the drivers, but also thousands of fans are looking forward to seeing the newCitroën out in anger for the first time next week. The cars will be flagged off the ramp forthe start of the Ulster Rally in the early afternoon of Friday 20 August.
Three questions to… Bryan Bouffier
You’ve been chosen for the competition debut of the Citroën DS3. How are you goingto approach this event?
I was the first driver to test the Citroën DS3 R3 and now it is a great honour for me to be atthe wheel when it has its first taste of competition. I’m going to start this rally hugelymotivated, with my objective being to show the world just how fantastic this new car is.
This will be the first time that you have competed on a rally in Ireland. Have youalready driven on similar surfaces?
It’s true that this is going to be a completely new experience for me: I’ve never had thechance before to contest any British or Irish Championship events. The roads in Ireland arewell known for being bumpy with several jumps throughout the rally. But I’m not worriedat all: I know that the DS3 R3 will be very forgiving and consistent on these types of roads,whatever the conditions.
You helped to develop the DS3 R3. What do you think of the car?
From the very first time I drove it, my feeling was immediately good. The Citroën DS3 R3is easy to drive and it’s a huge pleasure to be behind the wheel. There are some interestingtechnical innovations as well. I’m thinking in particular of the hard work we accomplishedon the suspension, but also on the torque from the engine and the sequential gearshift.All this makes the DS3 R3 a really formidable machine.
Useful informationUlster Rally (20-21 August)Surface: asphaltWhere: AntrimPractical information: The service park is located at the “International Outlet ShoppingCentre” (GPS N 54 43.781 and W 06 13.840). Rally HQ and the media centre arelocated at the Holiday Inn Express (Junction One International Shopping Centre,Ballymena Road, Antrim, BT41 4LL: GPS N 54 43.683 and W 06 13.567). There is aone-hour time difference between Ireland and central Europe, so when it is 1100 inAntrim, it will be 1200 in France. On the first day of the rally the sun will rise at 0608 andset at 2044. The local currency is the pound sterling (1 EUR = 0.82 GBP).
Reconnaissance: This will take place on Thursday 19 August from 0900 to 2200.
Start: Friday 20 August, leaving the service park at 1315.
Route: The route has a total length of 686.2 kilometres, of which 204.6 kilometres arecompetitive. There are 14 special stages (seven different stages).
Timing: Day 1 – 325 kilometres of which 85 kilometres are competitive (6 special stages –3 different stages)
Day 2 – 361.3 kilometres of which 119.5 kilometres are competitive (8 stages – 4different stages).
Final podium: Saturday 21 August from 1715.
