World champion co-driver Daniel Elena will go from hero to zero tomorrow when he switches seats for Rallye du Var, the final round of the French championship.
Monegasque Elena will drive the course-opening zero car on the asphalt event from 22-25 November. However, rather than be entrusted with the keys to driver Sebastien Loeb’s FIA World Rally Championship-winning Citroen DS3 WRC, Elena will pilot the all-new R1-version of the car.
Elena, who has contested Rallye du Var as a driver on several occasions in the past, won’t be the only world rally champion in action on the event: Super 2000 world title winner Craig Breen will also be taking part in a Peugeot 207 S2000.
“For once I can drive without pressure,” said Irishman Breen. “There are some interesting WRC crews at the head of the field and as I come to the event as S2000 world champion everyone in this category will want to challenge me. This is my final event of this year and I want to close the season with a good performance.”
Ex-Formula One driver Robert Kubica heads the entry in a Citroen C4 WRC.