British driver Neil Simpson will contest this weekend’s Rallye Le Touquet in France as he starts an exciting programme of international events with Pirelli. The 42-year-old will drive a Skoda Fabia Super 2000 in round one of the French Rally Championship – his first international event for 14 years.

Simpson will primarily use Pirelli’s renowned RX9 rubber on the all-asphalt event, where 16 tyres are allowed under series regulations. Conditions are often cool and slippery in the Nord Pas de Calais region with a high risk of rain, and tyre cutting is allowed to maximise wet-weather grip.

Simpson – a successful Skoda dealer in northern England – was part of Volkswagen’s works team in the British Rally Championship in the late 1990s. “I’ve used Pirelli tyres throughout my driving career,” he said. “My impression of Pirelli has always been of excellent products and people who’ll do whatever it takes to get results.”

Rallye Le Touquet starts on Friday (March 14) and finishes on Saturday, following 14 stages and 126 miles.