Justin Dale Released from Peugeot for WRC.

Peugeot Sport UK have agreed to release Super 1600 Works driver Justin Dale to pursue a career in the FIA World Rally Championship. Dale will contend the one remaining round of this years Pirelli British Rally Championship before taking up his new role in the World Championship at Rally GB in November.

Dale leaves Peugeot with long-time co-driver Andrew Bargery to pursue a drive with an unnamed team due to be launched at the end of October 2002.

Mick Linford, Peugeot Sport UK Motorsport Manager commented; Its always sad to lose a good driver. Justin has been with us a long time and done us proud over the last six years. He has already been a key element in securing us the Manufacturers Championship title in this years BRC and taken the Super 1600 Drivers Championship title too. It even looks like he could make it the triple and take the overall Drivers Championship title, which would be fantastic for Peugeot and Justin as he embarks on this amazing opportunity in WRC. We at Peugeot wish him the very best of luck and will be keeping an eye on him!

Justin Dale commented; Of course I am sad to be leaving Peugeot. Peugeot has been my life for 10 years and I will miss everyone involved in the team and cant thank them enough for their efforts over the years. I am nervous and excited about my new venture. I hope that my supporters will continue to support me in WRC and I look forward to seeing everyone at the last two rounds of the BRC, and in Wales in November for the start of my new challenge.

Justin starting his rallying career contesting the Peugeot Rally Challenge in a Peugeot 205 1.9 Gti in 1992. He was runner up in both the 1993 and 1994 series, before switching to the new Peugeot 306 S16 for the 1995 season. In 1996, Justin, together with new co-driver Andrew Bargery, secured the title of British Junior Rally Champion. In 1997 Justin joined Peugeot as works driver, to contest all rounds of the British Rally Championship driving a Peugeot 306 S16.

For the 1998 British Championship, Peugeot introduced the stunning Peugeot 106 Maxi to the UK, to contest the new "Super 1600" category. In 1999, Justin continued to drive for Peugeot Sport in the Peugeot 106 Maxi. He won 5 out of the 6 rounds of the championship, easily winning the Ferodo Super 1600 category in the British Championship. Dale retained his drive with Peugeot for 2000 when Peugeot Sport UK increased their commitment to the British Rally Championship, running two 106 Super GTi's in the Ferodo Super 1600 category.

2001 was an unusual year, with foot and mouth disease causing the British Championship to be cancelled, though their sterling performances in the Formula Rally series earned them the championship before it was lost on a technicality.

2002 Dale secures the Super 1600 category in this years British Rally Championship. Dale has 39 points overall in the championship. With dropped scores taken into account, this puts him in the lead of the overall Drivers Championship by a single point with just one round to go.