SSORDOORDO CCLAIMSLAIMS MMINI’SINI’S 11STST SS20002000 WWININ IIssuessue 232232 • 1155 MMayay 22012012 • hhttp://wp.me/pkXcttp://wp.me/pkXc TThehe wworld’sorld’s onlyonly ffreeree ddedicatededicated rallyrally eeMagazineMagazine - eeveryvery wweek!eek! Now exclusively available from ATS Motorsport To place your order contact us on the following number- Telephone +27 11 6708400 E-mail – [email protected] Website – ats-motorsport.co.za IIssuessue 223232 • 1155 MMayay 22012012 EEDITORIALDITORIAL IINFORMATIONNFORMATION Editor Evan Rothman Favourite rally car? Audi Quattro S2 Current favourite WRC driver? Mads Ostberg Favourite WRC rally? WRC Rallye Deutschland Favourite rally? Total Rally, South Africa Tweets too much about rallying, loves nothing more than spectating on a forest rally, and has aspirations of being the world’s greatest rally journalist. He’s also oftentimes seen with a In 2012, we will bring YOU: camera in his one hand and his mobile phone more opinions ringing in his pocket at the most inopportune times. more photographs more competitions more videos as you ASKED for in 2011! Photojournalist Eva Kovkova Favourite rally car? Citroën C4 WRC AADMINISTRATIVEDMINISTRATIVE IINFORMATIONNFORMATION Current favourite WRC driver? Mads Østberg Contributors Liga Stirna, Patrick Vermaak, Motorpics, Favourite WRC rally? Vodafone Rally de Portugal Newspress. Favourite rally? White Nights Rally, Lahdenpohja, Russia All content copyrighted property of HANDBRAKES & Likes to walk in the Swedish snow forests or on HAIRPINS, 2007-12. This publication is fully protected by Portuguese dusty hills, likes to freeze, to get wet copyright and nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part in the rain or to melt from the heat during photo without written permission from the editor. While reasonable hunts for fl ying cars and smiling faces. Also is precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of knowing as a press ice bear working for South information from sources and given to readers, the editor Africa :) cannot accept responsibility for any inconvenience or damage that may arise therefrom. FOLLOW US! CCONTACTONTACT E-mail us [email protected] Call us +27 83 452 6892 Surf us http://wp.me/pkXc To receive your FREE weekly HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS eMagazine, or if you’d like to share this with a friend please send your e-mail address to [email protected]. HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS is not a SPAM e-mail: email addresses are added to the mailing list voluntarily. OPPENINENING SHOT BBrynaryna BBoufouffi eerr aandnd cco-drivero-driver XXavieravier PPanserianseri aarere rrallyally wwinnersinners iinn tthehe eever-excitingver-exciting IIntercontinentalntercontinental RRallyally CChallengehallenge sseries.eries. IInn 22012,012, tthehe FFrenchrench ppairingairing hhaveave ccontinuedontinued ttoo iimpress,mpress, bbutut LLadyady LLuckuck hhasas nnotot bbeeneen oonn ttheirheir ssideide iinn ttheirheir bbidid ttoo sstandtand oonn tthehe ttopop ssteptep ooff tthehe ppodium.odium. PPicture:icture: IIRCRC SSerieseries START RAMP 07 Sebastien Loeb wins on the circuit 08 PUMA joins the GlobalRallyCross with Subaru CONTENTS SERVICE PARK 10 IRC 2012 changes calendar 12 Capito takes charge at Volkswagen Motorsport 13 Gauteng Rally moves into higher gear 14 Rallying on show with MINI Motorsport 15 Villagra wins in Tucuman 16 Changes chime in for Wales Rally GB PARC FERME 18 IRC Tour de Corse Rally review START RAMP TTHEHE LOEEBB SHOWW:: PPORSCHEORSCHE CCARRERAARRERA CCUPUP MMEETSEETS LLOEBOEB Words: Handbrakes & Hairpins He has also turned his experience into knowledge, “The weekend was 100 percent positive,” Loeb Picture: Citroën Racing mentoring young French rally drivers competing in kart races commented afterwards. “Jean-Karl scored the most points for and creating his own racing team in the French Porsche the championship and I personally enjoyed myself. I am very Sebastien Loeb is motorsport’s most successful racer. Carrera Cup Championship. pleased to have taken the fi rst victory for the team. They These are not only HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS’ words, In the team’s debut event, the Sebastien Loeb would still have won [without me], but it will remain a great but those from FIA in an award to the eight-times Racing Team scored two wins in Pau. Racing was held on a memory.” World Rally Champion from France. tight and twisting street circuit, dubbed “Little Monaco.” Loeb The Citroen WRC star will be back in more familiar Before jumping head-long into rallying, Loeb was took to the circuit and swept to pole position in qualifying surroundings when he contests the Acropolis Rally in 10 days national gymnastics star in his home country. He has dabbled and then on to winning both races with fl air, making a one- time (24–27 May). with endurance racing in the Le Mans Series, and his speed off appearance in the championship. Watch video highlights on YouTube from Loeb’s when the wheel of a ciircuit racer impressed so much that he To boot, his team-mate Jean-Karl Vernay (the 2010 circuit victories here: http://youtu.be/xmOFvJBn488. H&H has participated in Formula One tests. The Frenchman posted Indy Light champion) fi nished second in both races. It was competitive lap times in the Red Bull-Renault F1 machine, the fi rst successes for Sebastien Loeb Racing Team, which but his age counted against him embarking on a competitive runs in the European Le Mans Series and the French GT campaign in the sport. Championship. PPUMAUMA AANDND RRALLYALLYCROOSSSS: TTHEHE CCATAT IISS OOUTUT TTOO PPLAYLAY Words: Handbrakes & Hairpins have known Bucky for years on the X Games circuit, it is graphics, and a new performance-racing shoe called the PRX Pictures: Subaru of America, Inc. great to see another extreme athlete cross over to rallycross; Subaru. PUMA will be releasing lifestyle footwear, tees, and his enthusiasm for racing and fearlessness should be great to accessories inspired by the team and rally cars beginning in Subaru of America, Inc. has announced the offi cial watch.” June. sponsorship of sportslifestyle brand PUMA for the Sverre Isachsen, a.k.a. The Viking Warrior, has been “The sportlifestyle that PUMA represents is a great Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team. As part of the multi- a motorsports addict his whole life. After competing in local fi t for Subaru, owners, and motorsport fans”, said Dean year sponsorship agreement with Subaru, PUMA autocross and rallycross events in his native Norway, he set Evans, Chief Marketing Offi cer for Subaru of America, Inc. becomes the offi cial supplier of team and racewear his sights on the European RallyCross Championship. After “We are pleased to align with another global brand, and one and an exclusive licensing partner to the team for a strong debut in 2002, he dominated the series and was that will enhance the image and awareness of our rallycross footwear and apparel. As part of the team sponsorship crowned its champion in 2009, 2010 and 2011. team.” PUMA has developed custom graphics for the three New to the team, 12-times X Games Skateboarding “Subaru builds incredible sports performance Subaru Impreza WRX STI programme cars. Vert Medalist Bucky Lasek, is no stranger to the world of vehicles and in working with them, we were able to apply The Subaru PUMA RallyCross Team is the factory automotive racing. Bucky has competed in the Mustang our creative design approach with the graphics and color backed rally team for Subaru of America, Inc., managed by Challenge series as well as a handful of Porsche Cup races. application,” said Antonio Bertone, Chief Marketing Offi cer for Subaru technical partner Vermont SportsCar. The all-star He began intensive rally training at Dirtfi sh Rally School PUMA. “We are thrilled to be working with Subaru, they have team consists of BMX legend and professional rally driver where he honed his all-wheel drive skills behind the wheel of a long, successful motorsports history that matches well with Dave Mirra; professional skateboarder Bucky Lasek; and a Subaru Impreza WRX STI. our brand.” three-time European RallyCross Champion Sverre Isachsen. The team will compete in 2012 Subaru Impreza The fi rst round of the GRC will be held at Charlotte The team will be competing in the six-round Global WRX STI rally cars that have a fresh new look for rallycross Motor Speedway on May 26, 2012. For more information on RallyCross Championship (GRC) series. featuring a unique Zombie Cat graphic. PUMA brings a fun GRC visit: http://www.global-rallycross.com/. Click here to “I am stoked to have Sverre and Bucky join the and colorful design aesthetic that, when mixed with the watch a video of the new and impressive team on YouTube: team,” said rally veteran Dave Mirra “Sverre has been an adrenaline of the sport, is sure to excite drivers, fans, and http://youtu.be/YxrXOUCd2Zc?hd=1. H&H unstoppable force in European RallyCross and will defi nitely spectators alike. Mirra, Lasek, and Isachsen will sport offi cial be an asset to the team with his experience and talent. I fi reproof PUMA racing suits emblazoned with Zombie Cat SERVICE PARK IIRRCC’S’S 220012 CHHANANGES: TTARGA-FLORIOARGA-FLORIO IISS IINN Words: Handbrakes & Hairpins support to the on-event IRC team. The move, confi rmed to provide their own expert knowledge to the series with Pictures: IRC Series ahead of this past week’s fourth round, Giru di Corsica-Tour Commercial Director Antonello Lodoletti now able to focus his de Corse, signifi es a change to the management structure attentions of growing commercial relationships with new and Eurosport Events, the promoter of the Intercontinental of the all-action rally series, which has been implemented to existing partners and event promoters. Meanwhile, Gilbert Rally Challenge (IRC), is delighted to confi rm the streamline the various organisational processes. Roy who is responsible for Eurosport’s fl agship coverage of appointed of Jean-Pierre Nicolas as IRC Manager with Francois Ribeiro, Motorsport Business Director of the IRC continues as Director of Editorial and Programme immediate effect.