Burcu Cetinkaya will become the first female driver to contest an expanded programme of Intercontinental Rally Challenge events when she starts her IRC campaign on Rally d’Italia-Sardegna from 4-6 June.
Cetinkaya, from Istanbul, will drive a Peugeot 207 Super 2000 with support from Turkey’s Peugeot importer. She will also contest the asphalt rounds in Ypres, Madeira and Zlin; the gravel events in Azores and Scotland, and the mixed-surface Rallye Sanremo. A decision on whether or not she competes on the Cyprus Rally, the IRC’s other asphalt/gravel event, will be taken in late August. Cicek Guney will continue in her role as Cetinkaya’s navigator.
“To drive a Super 2000 car has been my dream and the Peugeot has been a very successful car in the IRC for the last few seasons so it is a good choice,” said Cetinkaya, 29. “Also, the support and coverage Eurosport gives to the IRC is very good and very important for my sponsors. It’s one of the main reasons why I chose the IRC.”
Cetinkaya is no stranger to IRC competition having contested the Geko Ypres Rally and Barum Czech Rally Zlin in the past.
She is planning to test on gravel and Tarmac in the coming months in preparation for her IRC bid.