Looking at the Peugeot 206 Cup

Changes this year

- Tyre manufacture Michelin will return, providing the 206 XS cars with sets for ground and tarmac.

- There will be only two counts at the end of the Championship (one per surface).

- One point will be added for each crew participating in the event, and one point for each crew finishing the event.

- At the end of the season, the winning crew will be rewarded with a series 207 RC, the second crew will receive 10000E, the third 8000E... up to the 20th crew, along with revised bonuses.

Per rally, the first to finish will receive 3500E with an additional 3500E purchase coupon at the Peugeot Sport boutique, the second will receive 3000E with a 2500E boutique coupon, the third will obtain 2500E and 2000E coupon... distributions will continue until the 20th crew at the finish line!

The Peugeot Cup 2007

48 crews are expected for the first event at Terre d'Auxerre. Along with the French participants, Italy, Switzerland and Germany will also be represented.

Amongst the favorites, a few names come to mind, like that of Sébastien Ogier (Rally Juniors 2006), who accomplished a first 206 XS Volant scratch win in the Neige Hautes Alpes rally last January.

"Charly" Beck is also a contender and will be doubly motivated after a blank 2006 score following a harsh accident. Denis Millet, 4th last year for the Volant 206 formula, Jérémi Ancian or even Cyril Audirac, recently named "best hope" by Échappement magazine, are to be considered as well.

Lastly, drivers such as Benjamin Mosson or the two rookies of the Junior Rally, Julien Bregeon and Stéphane Pellerey, could make a splash.

The challenge is interesting because versatility will be a must. To obtain the 207 RC offered at the end of the season, drivers will have to be constant on ground as on asphalt, with three of the four best results being counted at the end of the calendar's eight events.

The Terre d'Auxerre Rally will be held 14 and 15 April.