Sebastien Ogier discusses his upcoming appearance on the 2008 Ulster Rally

Posted by Scott Coursey 18 August, 2008

08logo Sebastien Ogier discusses his upcoming appearance on the 2008 Ulster Rally

In a Citroen Sport statement Sebastien Ogier talks about his expectations for the Ulster Rally, the C2 R2 Max he will be using and his new co-driver for the event, Jack Boyere, who talks about his past experiences of the rally.

Jack Boyere is sitting with Ogier as only one element of the entry can be changed and with Jean-Joseph's injury ruling him out then the navigator must remain as part of the entry. Ogier is just fresh from his JWRC win in Germany, though he was upstaged somewhat by Kris Meeke who dominated the S1600 category until a sensor came loose losing seven mins on the penultimate stage of the rally.

Olivier Quesnel has played down speculation in recent weeks linking Ogier to a works Citroen seat in a C4 next year. Quesnel reportedly denied any suggestion, stating they were in no rush to sign him and there were no current plans for Ogier to test a C4.

Ogier speaks about Ulster:

First of all, I feel extremely sorry for Simon and I hope he gets better soon," said Ogier, who is currently on course to take the JWRC win on the Rallye Deutschland. I've never driven on the Ulster Rally and I don't know a great deal about it. But that really doesn't matter.

I'm delighted to have this unexpected opportunity. All I've heard is that this is quite specialised terrain, with fast and bumpy roads.

As well as having to learn this tricky event though, Jack and I will also have to learn how to work together. But Jack is an amazing professional, who has worked with many different drivers, so I'm sure it will be absolutely fine.

I don't feel any particular pressure heading for Ulster, and I'm happy to take on the objective that Simon and the team fixed for themselves before the start of this year to demonstrate the qualities of the C2-R2 MAX.

I know that it is fantastic in ‘normal' conditions and also very good when the going gets rough. As there is a strong chance of rain, I'm hoping that this could allow us to play our trump card. The PH Sport team also knows Ireland well, and their experience will be crucial."

Jack Boyere discusses his previous experience:

I've not been there for several years, but I remember the fast and narrow stages, with high banks on either side of the road. Sometimes there is also a strip of grass or gravel that runs down the middle of the road. The speeds you reach between the many sets of crossroads are quite impressive and the bumpy sections are one of the more difficult aspects of this event. Obviously it's not exactly the ideal place for our first rally together, but that's the situation we have!

Despite the fact this will be very much a step into the unknown for Ogier and Boyere, Jean-Francois Lienere, who is in charge of Citroen Sport's customer competition department, still wants them to aim for the win in their class.
The C2-R2 will be driven by an unaccustomed crew on its second asphalt outing of the year. They will start the rally in a customer-specification C2-R2 MAX, which they will have to adapt to the local conditions with the help of the team.

Sebastien Ogier knows the car well through having tested it, and together with Jack Boyere he will be aiming to demonstrate the Citroen's potential against some very strong opposition. As well as targeting a win in the Group A two-wheel drive class, the crew will be looking for a strong overall placing. They will be helped by their BFGoodrich tyres, which are strong in all conditions,"

The Citroen Sport (PH) team will be in Belfast on Tuesday night at Charles Hurst for a promotional evening and then Ogier will be demonstrating the car on Cooley Mountain the next day.

Revised Ulster Rally 2008 Top Twenty Entry List:

1 Eamonn Boland (IRL /Damien Morrissey(IRL) - Subaru S12B WRC
3 Kevin Lynch (GB)/Francis Regan (GB) - Subaru S12B WRC
4 Kenny McKinstry (GB)/Noel Orr (GB) - Subaru Impreza S8 WRC
5 Peadar Hurson (GB)/Allan Harryman (GB) - Subaru S10 WRC
6 Derek McGarrity (GB)/J McKee (GB) - Subaru Impreza S12B WRC
7 Mark Higgins (GB)/Rory Kennedy (IRL) - Subaru Impreza N11
8 Guy Wilks (GB)David Moynihan (IRL) - Mitsubishi EVO 9
9 Gwyndaf Evans (GB)/TBA - Mitsubishi EVO 9
10 David Higgins (GB)/Ieuan Thomas (GB) - Subaru Impreza N14
11 Glenn Allen (IRL)/Damien Connolly (IRL) - Toyota Corolla WRC
12 Denis Biggerstaff (GB)/P Robinson (IRL) - Subaru S9 WRC
14 James Cullen (IRL)/Neil Doherty (IRL) - Subaru Impreza WRC
15 Sebastien Ogier (FR)/Jack Boyere (FR) - Citroen C2R2 Max
16 Seamus Leonard (GB)/Gerry McVeigh (GB) - Mitsubishi EVO 9
17 Colm Murphy (IRL)/Ger Loughrey (IRL) - Mitsubishi EVO 9
18 Phillip Morrow (GB)/Gordon Noble (GB) - Subaru Impreza N12
19 Darren Gass (GB)/Neil Shanks (GB) - Mitsubishi EVO 9
20 Emma McKinstry (GB)/Kenny Hull (GB) - Subaru S8 WRC