Rallye Team Spain‘s new signing Pep Bassas would have made his international rally debut on his home soil if the Rallye Azores had been held in March, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic he’ll now make his first appearance at Rally di Roma Capitale next weekend.
Bassas who would have participated in Spain in an older generation Peugeot 208 R2 will now however compete in the latest generation 208 – the brand-new Rally4 spec car in the ERC3 Junior class.
Bassas won the Spanish Rally Championship RFEDA-supported Beca Júnior R2 title last season which gave him a seat in the Rallye Team Spain outfit for a full-season campaign in the 2020 ERC, but did admit the start to 2020 hasn’t helped his plans so far.
“The season starts for Rallye Team Spain later than we expected, obviously due to coronavirus.” Bassas said. “The brand-new Peugeot 208 Rally4 is already available, so we can begin the competition using new technology.”
“I’m trying to adapt my driving style as soon as possible to the new car. I’m able to do it, but the philosophy is completely different compared with what was necessary to be fast with the last generation of Peugeot 208 R2. To be honest, when you drive the car for the first time, it’s a surprise the power and the torque of the turbo engine.
“You arrive really fast to the corners, and the car pushes on quite hard! I want to show my potential to be on the top and give the maximum.” Bassas added.
The first round of the 2020 European championship will be held near the Italian capital Rome next weekend with full coverage of the rally here on The Checkered Flag.
