The interim spec 2008 includes significant changes to the suspension and engine for the 13-day, 6,500-kilometre event, which starts from Xi’an and finishes in Xinjiang on September 11.
Peugeot Sport director Bruno Famin explains: “The primary purpose of going to China is to continue the car’s development and try some new parts in a competitive context. At the same time, China is an extremely important market for the brand, so we won’t turn down the opportunity to shine in this magnificent setting should it arise…”
China is actually Peugeot’s biggest market now and while the marketing side of the operation is important, Peterhansel is more interested in the potential for a pre-Dakar test.
“The China Silk Road Rally will be a scaled-down dress rehearsal for the Dakar,” says the 11-time Dakar winner and China Silk Road Rally novice Stephane Peterhansel. “It is a big opportunity for us because it will be the longest test we do and we will be able to replicate the sort of timetable and conditions we face in South America. Some roads are even quite similar.”
Peugeot returned to the Dakar 25 years after it last competed on the marathon event in January, but failed to find anything like the success it enjoyed with the 205 and 405T16s. Two of the three 2008 DKRs made the finish, with Peterhansel 11th and Despres in 34th position. Carlos Sainz crashed out. None of the rear-drive turbo diesel cars featured at the front of the field during the South American event.
Source: Maxrally