Pierre Campana set for final Suzuki Challenge at the Cevennes Rally

The final round of this year's French Suzuki Cup takes place on the Cevennes Rally this weekend (7th & 8th November), a long-term fixture on the French Rally Championship. It will also mark the final appearance of Corsican driver Pierre Campana at the wheel of a Group N Suzuki Swift, as the French Suzuki Cup comes to an end after several seasons of successful competition.

Having finished third in the 2008 series, Pierre was fighting for the title this year with two event victories. Unfortunately two unlucky retirements in Alsace and Le Touquet have now put him out of contention for this year's championship. Nonetheless, together with his co-driver Sabrina de Castelli, Pierre is aiming to end his Suzuki career on a high with victory on the Cevennes - which would put him in a strong position to finish on the final podium of this year's title race.

The Cevennes Rally, based in Montpellier, runs on asphalt roads around the Languedoc region that are similar to those used on the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. For the seventh consecutive year, the Cevennes has the biggest entry of any French Championship event. In total, 205 cars are on the entry list - making the Cevennes Rally a spectacular finale for the Suzuki Cup.

Just like Monte Carlo, the mountain roads are highly technical, requiring a precise but committed driving style. The weather at this time of year can also be extremely unpredictable, so Pierre and Sabrina have to be prepared for anything. However, they showed their ability to deal with the unexpected in impressive fashion on September's Sanremo Rally, where they finished first amongst an experienced field of more than 25 Renault Clio R3 competitors.

The Group N Suzuki Swift that Pierre will drive on the Cevennes is a very different animal, even running on road tyres, but there will be extremely close competition. With all the cars entirely equal, the driver makes the biggest difference.

"That is why this series has worked so well over the years,"

commented Campana.

"I'd like to thank Suzuki for everything they have done for the sport, through providing a great show within a contained budget. I'd also like to thank my Rougier Sport team, who have done a brilliant job all year. My season has been a bit up and down, but I'd like to end it in the best possible way with a win on the Cevennes."

The Suzuki Rallye Cup - which established its credentials by producing well-known World Rally Championship drivers such as Yoann Bonato - is backed by France's national motorsport federation, the FFSA, underlining its reputation as a cradle of talent for the future. Campana, who is managed by Quadra Sports and sponsored by French oil company Yacco, has contested the entire Suzuki Rallye Cup this year alongside some additional outings.