Volkswagen News
Volkswagen Works Driver Jutta Kleinschmidt With New Co-Driver
By Source: Volkswagen Racing
May 13, 2004, 08:12

Wolfsburg (13 May 2004) Volkswagen works driver Jutta Kleinschmidt will be tackling her next mission in cross-country rallying with Bobby Willis as her new co-driver. The 49-yearold Brit from Belfast, Northern Ireland, will first take over the navigation in the former Dakar Rally winner's cockpit of the Volkswagen Race Touareg in the upcoming test in Morocco and then in the subsequent Morocco Rally (1 to 6 June).

Volkswagen motorsport director Kris Nissen: "Fabrizia Pons, Jutta Kleinschmidt's co-driver in the past two years, has not extended her contract. We regret this very much, because Jutta and Fabrizia were a strong team in every sense of the word. Of course we respect Fabrizia Pons' decision and thank her for her excellent work and commitment. At the same time, we're delighted to welcome Bobby Willis, who will be returning to our team, initially for a test and one round of the Cross-Country World Cup. The decision on continuing his contract with the team will be taken jointly after these two events.”

Navigating Stéphane Henrard in the debut of the Tarek, Bobby Willis has previously helped Volkswagen to clinch class victory in the category of rear-wheel-driven vehicles and sixth place in the overall standings of the 2003 Dakar Rally, thus successfully putting his extensive experience at the service of the Volkswagen brand. Willis, who has been active in motorsport since 1972, having earned his international reputation in more than 130 stints in the Rally World Championship, the Middle East Rally Championship and the Cross-Country World Cup, is looking forward to his return to Volkswagen with eager anticipation: "I'm being offered a fantastic opportunity, which I'm accepting with great pleasure,” the seasoned co-driver said, expressing his delight. "Competing alongside Jutta Kleinschmidt in such a professional team is both an honour and a commitment. I have personally experienced the early stages of Volkswagen's ambitious project and have been called back to the team in an important phase. Morocco offers a good opportunity for us to get accustomed to each other during the test before such a tough and demanding rally."

In addition to Jutta Kleinschmidt and Bobby Willis, works driver Bruno Saby and his new co-driver Michel Périn in their Race-Touareg will be participating in the test and subsequent rally in North Africa in preparation for the Dakar Rally in January 2005. Volkswagen's cross-country team now comprises a total of three former 'Dakar' winners: Jutta Kleinschmidt (2001), Bruno Saby (1993) and Michel Périn (1994, 1995, 1996 as a codriver).

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