Zoom Ojeda aboard the Peugeot last year in Italy

The Intercontinental Racing Challenge's field will embark upon its first meet of the 2008 season next week-end. Jacques Morelli, BFGoodrich's IRC Programme Manager, answers questions regarding the tyre manufacturer's involvement in the series.

Before talking about the 2008 season, what was your opinion of the 2007 IRC?

"It was very positive. BFGoodrich's first participation in this championship brought us the Drivers' and Manufacturers' titles with Enrique Garcia Ojeda and Peugeot. Our tyres were competitive on every type of terrain, both asphalt and gravel, and in all the conditions we encountered. Certain drivers even decided to switch to BFGoodrich tyres in the course of the season, and even in the course of a rally!"

What tyres does BFGoodrich use for this series?

"We supply customer competition tyres. That is to say tyres available from Michelin's competition tyre network. Unlike the development tyres we used in the WRC, which weren't available for sale, customer competition tyres are cheaper and the range of conditions they cover is far broader. Tyre choices and 're-cutting' techniques continue to play a key role in the way events unfold however."

Who will BFGoodrich's partners be this season?

"We will be continuing our partnership with the works Fiat-Abarth team which will run two Abarth Grande Punto S2000s. We will also supply the three Kronos Racing Peugeot 207 S2000s. The Italian Grifone operation has contacted us to equip an Abarth Grande Punto S2000 for Didier Auriol and Skoda is expected to make its return in the course of the year with BFGoodrich. We will also supply the Citroën C2-R2 Max of Simon Jean-Joseph who will contest selected IRC rounds, not to mention a long list of two-wheel drive cars entered in the 2WD Cup."

D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: BFGoodrich