Citroën DS3 R3 car of choice for 2013 Pirelli UK Star Driver

The vehicle to be used in next year’s Pirelli UK Star Driver scheme has been confirmed after the Italian tyre maker reached an agreement with Citroën Racing. Contenders in the 2013 Star Driver programme will put their skills to the test behind the wheel of a 1.6 litre, turbocharged Citroën DS3 R3.

“Firstly, I would like to say a big thank you to TEG Sport who have done such a tremendous job over the past four years in providing our Pirelli Star Drivers with such a competitive and reliable car,” commented Matthew Corby, Pirelli UK motorsport operations manager. “We are also looking forward to working with Citroën in 2013 and running the Citroën DS3 R3 for the very first time. The car has proved itself as a worthy contender for winning championship titles and we feel our Pirelli Star Driver package for 2013 is the best yet. The Citroën DS3 R3 is the perfect stepping stone to help a national driver make the transition onto the world stage, and we hope this year’s winner will follow in the footsteps of our former Pirelli Star Driver Elfyn Evans who continues to lead this year’s Pirelli-supported WRC Academy.”

The Pirelli Star Driver programme was set up in 2008 to reward aspiring rally drivers with the opportunity to take part in a full British Rally Championship campaign courtesy of Pirelli. Based on merit, one driver will be selected for the Pirelli Star Driver shootout from each of the six qualifying rallies in this year’s British Rally Championship.  Drivers can only be selected on one occasion and an automatic nomination will be awarded to the British Junior Rally Champion. Drivers already selected for this year’s shootout include Mark Donnelly, Matthew Cathcart, Tom Cave, Jussi Kumpumaki, Osian Pyrce and recently-crowned British Junior Rally Champion, Garry Pearson. One final driver will be selected to join the line-up and will be picked following their performance on the championship’s closing round, International Rally Yorkshire. Details regarding the 2012 Pirelli Star Driver shootout will be announced at the final round of the year, International Rally Yorkshire on 28 and 29 September.