Hunt gets Peugeot for 2017 Dakar

Britain’s Harry Hunt will become the first privateer to drive a Peugeot 2008 DKR on the Dakar when he joins the PH Sport team for next January’s South American marathon.

Hunt announced his switch from the Mini team earlier this week and will compete in the car Cyril Despres used to win the Silk Way Rally earlier this year on next week’s Morocco Rally.

Hunt finished 10th on his Dakar debut earlier this year. This will be Hunt’s first time competing in a rear-drive buggy-type car, having run a four-wheel-drive Mini All4 Racing previously.

He said: “It’s actually only the first time that I’m repeating an event I’ve done before, so it will help me a little bit to know what’s coming. I’m also delighted that Andy [Schulz, co-driver] will be joining me once more on this latest adventure. His experience is going to be absolutely vital.”

Khalid Al Qassimi will join Hunt in the PH Sport team for Morocco (October 1-7). The UAE rally star has no current plans to take one of the ex-works PH Sport-run machines to Dakar next season, but he is understood to be thinking about it. Al Qassimi and Kris Meeke tested a 2008 DKR in France last month.

ROAD RALLY ROUND-UP

Despite securing the HRCR Clubman Championship on the previous round, Matt Warren/andy Pullan showed no sign of easing off as they took their eighth victory of the series on Saturday’s HERO Challenge. Once again Howard Warren/ Iain Tullie were the bridesmaids, taking the runner-up spot.

The Challenge included a well-supported Clubman rally; this utilised a shorter route and tests were penalised on a class improvement system. This rally was won by the Porsche 911 of Nigel Perkins/ Pete Johnson, who led throughout the day. Steve and Julie Robertson recovered from being delayed by a non-competing car and a horse on the first section to take second place eventually.

Richard Hemmingway/ Sam Collis secured a last-minute win on the Clitheronian Rally after erstwhile leaders Tony Harrison/ Paul Taylor struck car problems on the final section. Hemmingway/ Collis had led for most of the night but were reeled in by Harrison/taylor before the latter’s engine went sick with just four miles remaining.

Organiser: HERO When: September 24 Where: Throckmorton Championships: HRCR Clubman Route: 135 miles and 9 tests 83