Rally-Raid – Peugeot taking on China

From August 29 to September 11, Peugeot Sport and the 2008 DKR will return to competition and will attack the roads of Silk Road Rally in China. The French team has worked hard on its two-wheel drive and a 2015 + version benefiting from the latest improvements developed in terms of suspensions, the engine, but also the mass of the vehicle will be in action.

“Our first objective is to continue developing the car with our crews and to try new elements in a competition context. Additionally, China is an extremely important market for us. » specifies Bruno Famin, director of Peugeot Sport.

Two crews will be entered in this long event of 13 stages and nearly 6500 kilometers. Stéphane Peterhansel and Cyril Despres will drive the 2008 DKR 2015 +, and Despres will be accompanied by his new co-driver David castera, moved from organizing the Dakar to the seat of the Peugeot.

“I still have a lot to learn when it comes to driving a car on the Dakar and David will have more to learn, but I think it's good to learn together and help each other. It will be important for us to grow together as a crew. I have every confidence in his abilities.” comments Despres.

Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz, recovered from his Achilles tendon injury, will work on the 2016 version of the DKR, still in development.

You can also find our interview with Bruno Famin, director of Peugeot Sport, on the progress of the 2008 DKR project, in issue 2026 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version, and on newsstands tomorrow.