NOVEMBER 14, 2006

Tiago to go rallying

Tiago Monteiro is to spend this weekend working on the Casinos do Algarve Rally in Portugal, driving the '0' Car, one of the official cars that is driven through the stage 15 minutes before the rally cars to ensure that the course is clear and to warn spectators that the event is about to start. And while it is not in the actual rally, it will give the Spyker F1 driver a taste of rallying. Monteiro will be at the wheel of a Peugeot Sport Portugal 206 GTi.

The event is the final round of the Portuguese national rally championship and takes place on tarmac roads around the town of Portimao, in the southern-most part of the country. Monteiro has driven all manner of machinery in his career including F1, Champ Car, F3000, World Series and Chrysler Viper and Lamborghini Diablo sports cars but he has never tried his hand at tarmac rallying although he has tried Trophee Andros ice racing and even some the 24 Hours Todo-o-Terreno Fronteira, a local off-road event in Portugal.

Tiago will be accompanied and guided by experienced international co-driver Paulo Primaz.