Pikes Peak – Dayrault, Loeb’s rival, presents his Mini

After Sébastien Loeb’s Peugeot 208 T16, it?s Jean-Philippe Dayrault’s turn to reveal his weapon for Pikes Peak! The Toulouse driver, who will participate this summer for the third consecutive time in the famous Colorado climb, will field this year a more efficient version of his “Unlimited” prototype, this time adorned with a Mini Paceman body, just like he did it on ice during the Andros Trophy. “The car is more efficient than last year with 80 kilograms less, or 950 kg for 900 hp”, confides Jean-Philippe Dayrault to AUTOhebdo. For the operation and technical monitoring of his car, Jean-Philippe Dayrault will once again be accompanied by Richard Tur, from Poclain Technologie (formerly Tork Engineering, Editor's note).

Very much in the lead in 2012 before encountering a technical problem in the very last kilometer of the event which caused him to go off the track, the Toulouse driver intends to win this year. Even if Sébastien Loeb will be part of the adventure, the boss of the Mitjet Series believes that his experience of the American event, which the nine-time world champion will discover, gives him a certain advantage. “We are aiming for victory after two participations, experience is important and gives us an advantage”, He explains. “After an easy but missed victory in 2012 following a technical problem one km from the finish, we are the favorites for this 2013 edition.” An edition which will definitely offer a duel at the top.