Citroen Top Driver series launched
Citroen has announced the launch of the 'Citroen Top Driver' series for 2013.
Created to comply with the regulations for WRC 3, which will become part of the World Rally Championship next year, this series, it is hoped, will be the 'final rung on the ladder leading to the upper echelons of rallying' and 'a springboard towards the sport's top flight category for the best drivers'.
"Since it first became involved in rallying, Citroen Racing has always attached great importance to finding and training the most promising young drivers. The likes of Sebastien Loeb, Dani Sordo, Sebastien Ogier and Thierry Neuville all started out with Citroen before going on to compete at the highest level," read a statement to the media.
"In 2013, Citroen's Customer Racing department will extend its involvement in rallying by creating two new formulas. Although the FFSA's 'Rallye Jeunes' (Young Rally Drivers) initiative remains the first level at which talented young drivers are identified, they can also make a name for themselves in a Citroen DS3 R1 in the Citroen Racing Trophy Junior, held in eight countries across Europe, before competing in the same formula in a more powerful car: the DS3 R3. The missing component, however, has been the chance for these drivers to show off their skills on the biggest stages in world rallying, at a reasonable cost. This is the idea behind the 'Citroen Top Driver' series.
"The concept came about when the FIA decided to introduce regulations for a new category in the world championship, entitled WRC 3. This series will be open to two-wheel drive cars. The 'Citroen Top Driver' series will feature a mixed calendar, with rallies contested in a DS3 R3. The crews and teams that score the most points will win the championship. The stakes are high, as the winner will be offered the chance to take part in six rallies in the WRC 2 championship (open to all four-wheel drive cars other than world rally cars) in 2014, whilst this vehicle will be prepared by the best team.
"The 'Citroen Top Driver' series will therefore feature two lots of standings. First and foremost, a drivers' championship, where the top ten at each rally will be awarded points (25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1) depending on where they finish in the group R standings (all classes). And a teams' championship, in which the final results of one or two cars entered by teams at each rally will be added up, bearing in mind that teams may not designate more than two DS3 R3s per race as eligible to score points."
"Our aim is to make it easier for drivers to compete in the World Rally Championship by creating a racing formula that is accessible and affordable, and which rewards the best drivers and teams", explained Marek Nawarecki, Customer Racing Manager for Citroen Racing.
"The very essence of this challenge is to create a stepping stone between the national championships and the world championship by putting in place a major programme which is within the reach of the crews. This involves sharing the cost. With this in mind, each team must enter at least two DS3 R3s in the 'Citroen Top Driver' series. We would also like the teams to compete with each other in a transparent and fair manner, so each of them must publish their season costs so that potential customers are able to compare the various options available to them."
The series, which will feature four rounds on gravel and two on tarmac, is due to kick off in Portugal in April. It also includes the WRC events in Italy, Finland, Germany, France and Britain.
