Zoom Reigning IRC champion Vouilloz heading for the Monte

The Monte Carlo Rally has revealed its 2009 entry list, with 65 crews appearing. Leading the competitors off the start ramp will be the reigning IRC champion Nicolas Vouilloz, driving a Peugeot 207 S2000 run by Peugeot Belgium.

Just behind him, running as car number two, will be Giandomenico Basso's factory Abarth Grande Punto. Basso is the first of three factory Abarths entered, with the other cars being entrusted to Luca Rossetti (car number five) and Anton Alen (car number 11).

Behind Basso will be the first of the two new Skoda Fabia S2000s, driven by Juho Hanninen (car number three) and Jan Kopecky (car number six). Following Hanninen off the start ramp is the second Peugeot Belgium car, driven by last year's IRC runner-up Freddy Loix.

Other leading entries to look out for are Stephane Sarrazin, driving a car entered by the main Peugeot factory team on the Monte Carlo Rally for the first time since the days of the Peugeot 307 WRC in 2005. Immediately behind him, as car number eight, is the 1994 World Rally Champion Didier Auriol.

Car nine is the BFGoodrich Drivers' Team entry, piloted by reigning Junior World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier. Rounding out the top 10 off the ramp is well-known World Rally Championship driver Toni Gardemeister, who has finished second on the Monte Carlo Rally in the past.

The top Mitsubishi driver is local man Richard Frau, while Volkswagen is represented by British driver Nick West. Marco Cavigioli will start as car number 40, to defend the IRC 2WD Cup title in his familiar Fiat Punto diesel.

The opening round of the 2009 IRC season takes place 21-24 January.

D.B. © CAPSIS International