JRC: Rautenbach to switch to C2.

by Geoff Mayes

British Junior champion, Conrad Rautenbach has confirmed that he will use a PH Sport-run Citroen C2 Super 1600 car this season, when he returns to the Junior arena for a fourth year.

Rautenbach, who will continue to receive support from Jardine Lloyd Thompson, will again be co-driven by David Senior and the 22-year-old is hoping that the well developed Citroen will help him add to the successes he managed in 2006, which included a string of podium finishes.

The Zimbabwean looks set to have a busy season, as he will dovetail his JRC programme with selected outings in the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship and will use the same Citroen C2 on the Pirelli Rally, the International Rally Isle of Man, and the Ulster Rally in Ireland as well as also competing in the season's finale, the Wales Rally GB.

His busy year begins with the Rally of Tanzania, the opening round of the FIA African Rally Championship, which takes place during the second weekend of February. Rautenbach is hoping to do up to five rounds in Africa at the wheel of his Subaru Impreza N10 with a planned return to defend his title at home in Zimbabwe as well.

"I'm really looking forward to 2007," he noted. "I learned a lot last year and think that staying with one car for both the JRC and the BRC will benefit me a lot more. It's a busy schedule but I love rallying!"

Geoff Jones Motorsport meanwhile, who ran Rautenbach's Renault Clio S1600 in 2006, will continue to help the 22-year-old with car set-up aiming to build on the lessons learnt last year.

Action pictures courtesy of Geoff Mayes Media - www.geoffmayesmedia.com