Armin Schwarz and his partner, the Swiss consultancy firm Value Add group, have decided to pull out of the FIA tendering process for the WRC global promoter role, a position which is expected to commence in 2011. According to the FIA there are still two candidates interested in the position of global promoter - Eurosport Events and ISC.

Citroen Sport and newly appointed Peugeot Sport boss Olivier Quesnel has confirmed the expected news that Sebastien Ogier will drive a C4 WRC on the first six World Rally Championship events in 2009. Quesnel made the announcement at the end of year awards ceremony held this week by the French motorsports federation (FFSA). Reigning JWRC champion Ogier had an impressive debut in the C4 on Wales Rally GB where he set fastest times on some of the opening stages to lead the event before becoming a victim of the conditions.
Citroen Sport will now be fielding three cars on the opening six WRC rounds with Ogier joining Sebastien Loeb and Dani Sordo in the team.

Citroen Sport had planned to develop the S2000 car in early 2009 but due to the uncertainty with the regulations by the FIA this slowed the project. But now with the new technical regulations coming into effect in 2010 the development can begin again. The car should be based on the new C3 model which is due on the world market at the end of 2009. The new S2000+ car will feature a turbo revised inlet and exhaust manifolds, a quicker sequential gearshift mechanism (with steering wheel paddle shift) and an aero package consisting of a rear wing and front spoiler.
Dani Sordo will be the main Citroen driver developing the new car in collaboration with Sebastien Ogier. Sebastien Loeb will be primarily involved with the Le Mans Peugeot testing programme but will also work on the development of the S2000+ car as well.

Andreas Aigner and the Red Bull Rallye Team are suspending their cooperation for the time being – owing to the lack of prospects and the current situation in rallying. The long-standing and successful cooperation between Andreas Aigner and the Red Bull Rallye Team has to be suspended for the time being – in spite of this year’s outstanding achievements by the Austrian rally driver. Andreas Aigner has won the PWRC title for the Red Bull Rallye Team. But it was the declared aim to enter the 2009 World Rally Championship together with Andreas as part of a factory team. However, because of the current situation – e.g. the immediate withdrawal of Subaru and Suzuki from the World Rally Championship –, no competitive prospects are in sight on the intended level. Then again, another year in the PWRC would not subserve Andreas Aigner’s career. This is all the more regrettable as the talented Styrian was just honoured as Racing Driver of the Year by the OSK, Austria’s motor racing governing body.

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