Sébastien Loeb Racing will be expanding its rally team for the 2016 with a WRC2 entry for Quentin Giordano in a Peugeot 208 T16.
With the recent announcement that Terry Folb will be participating in the Junior World Rally Championship, the latest news means that nine-time world Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb will see two rally cars in his expanding team.
Giordano will take part in Sardinia (9-12 June ), Poland (July 1-3), Finland (28-31 July), Germany (18-21 August), the Tour de Corse (29 September-2 October), Great Britain (27-30 October) and the five rounds of the Coupe de France.
“We know Quentin from having driven for the team in the French Supertouring Championship last year and I had the chance to see him during testing. The opportunity presented itself to run this multiple programme effort and I’m happy to see the project come to fruition. “said Loeb, co-founder of the team.
” Like Terry, Quentin has experience in his respective category. He’s shown his talent last year and most recently at the Monte Carlo Rally. Our role is to help him take the next step and perform at his best. He has the top speed needed and the Peugeot 208 T16 is a competitive car. The team now has an international flavor, but it’s also important to be present on the French scene. And it’s nice that we have that chance in rallying. We hope to have a lot of fan support!”
With Giordano working with the team last year in touring cars, he had insider information on the upcoming rally programme and let Loeb know he wanted to be a part of it as soon as he heard.
“When I found out that the team was working on a rally programme, I immediately let Sébastien know that I wanted to part of it “ says Giordano. “We have spent some time together and he has helped me for more than a year on rally testing.
” I was also able to see how the team works during my time at the circuit with them. It’s a serious approach, and very meticulous. They don’t leave anything to chance and I know that will be the same philosophy in rally. I’ve experienced some great things with PH Sport, who have helped me progress and without whom I wouldn’t be here, but I think that the Sébastien Loeb Racing programme can help me make a breakthrough. The added benefit of Seb is unique and I’ll be able to learn even more.
“Following a discovery year in WRC-2, the goal is to be consistently in the top five, or better. I’ve already reached this result, but I have to do it more regularly and on all surfaces. The decision to take part in the French Cup is one that is close to my heart since the finale is being held in my backyard. I wanted to run in my region, to be part of the game, and we’ll have to make it count. It’s a good programme and I’m excited to start at the Rallye Epernay – Champagne, which I like and is a perfect venue to work well together.“
Giordano has been competining in rally since 2007 where he drove a Peugeot 206 Coupe and a Volant 207 before joining the Citroën Racing Trophy in 2012. In 2014 he took part in the JWRC, taking fourth place in the championship with four podium finishes. Last season saw him make his 4WD debut in WRC2 where he gained a podium at Rally Germany.
Rallye Monte-Carlo saw him finish thirteenth place overall and take fourth place in the WRC2 class.
The next rally for Giordano will see him take part in Rally Epernay – Champagne wines (1-3 April) in the Sébastien Loeb Racing Peugeot.
