Andrew buys Peugeot 208 R2 for Irish Tarmac Championships

Andrew Slattery (26) from Nenagh, Co Tipperary has purchased a new Peugeot 208 R2 from Peugeot Sport, France with a view to entering the National Irish Tarmac Championships next year, writes Trish Whelan.

Andrew competed in his 205 GTi in the Irish 205 Challenge for two seasons, 2008-2009, winning the Novice Award in 2008. In 2009 he narrowly missed out on the top spot due to a crash on the second last round. But he set the highest number of as test stage times, winning the fastest driver award and came second in the overall standings. He bought a group N Subaru for the 2011 tarmac season, and after a promising start of 11th overall in the Circuit of Kerry, leading Group N in the West Coast Championship, a crash on the Circuit of Munster finished his season.

Andrew's goal for 2013 is to set up the new car to our liking on Irish tar for the first 3 - 4 events. "We're aiming to finish the year in the top three of the Irish R2 class in the National Tarmac Championship, and hope to compete in the Circuit of Ireland to get valuable mileage under our belt."

To comply with regulations, Peugeot Sport has fitted a brand new 1.6 185bhp engine to the 208 R2. This new engine is based on the 16 VTi power unit that is available on some versions of the new Peugeot 208 and will come with variable valve timing for the intake and exhaust. The R2 features a newly developed gearbox; a five-speed, manual, sequential gearbox with the lever mounted on the steering column is fitted. The gravel and asphalt versions of the R2 are available in kit form or in fully built form from Peugeot Sport.

Andrew is Service Manager at Slattery's Garage Puckane, Main Peugeot Dealers in Tipperary North.