Mountain Bike Champ to Drive Subaru Impreza WRC for 2005 Rally Calendar

The ten-time mountain bike downhill World Champion, Nicolas Vouilloz, announced that he will be continuing to pursue a career in rally car racing by driving a Subaru Impreza WRC with First Motorsport. Vouilloz will be competing in the French Rally Championship as well as probably in some rounds of the World Rally Championship in 2005. Located in Belgium, First Motorsport has won three titles in the French asphalt and gravel championships.

Vouilloz began rally car racing in 2003 and won the "Volant Peugeot 206" in his first try. That success led him to compete with the French FFSA team. Vouilloz competed in seven World Rally events driving a Peugeot 206 WRC.

First Motorsport team boss Willy Collignon stated, "Knowing that Nicolas has been taking part in rallies for only two years, his results are truly remarkable . We are delighted to face a new challenge together with such an amazing driver.

"I am really happy to join First Motorsport," said Vouilloz. "We haven't started working together yet but the results of this team speak for themselves. To move in this team after Stephane Sarrazin is a considerable challenge and I am aware of it. A learned a lot in 2004 with Peugeot and I must thank them for their sportsmanship in allowing me to choose this new opportunity in my career and driving the Subaru Impreza WRC. I made a lot of progress in the last few races of 2004. I improved my speed, patience and consistency. My goal is to continue in the same direction in 2005."