Patrick Snijers, the latest recruit to the BFGoodrich Drivers Team, had his first run in the Kronos Racing Peugeot 207 S2000 this week, on a test stage close to Ypres in Belgium.
The Belgian was elected to the drive by a jury of 16 local journalists on May 28 in Brussels, as part of the innovative 'BF Goodrich Drivers Team' programme. The scheme, supported by the tyre manufacturer and Kronos Racing, will operate on five of the 10 rounds that make up this year's Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
Snijers, who will run on the Ypres Rally in the colours of BFGoodrich and Kronos, carrying competition #17, used the test to get to grips with his Peugeot 207 S2000, as well as try out some different tyres that BFGoodrich will make available for the event.
"I'm very pleased with our first day behind the wheel," said Snijers, who will join regular Kronos drivers Freddy Loix and Nicolas Vouilloz on the third round in the IRC. "We worked methodically through the different settings on the car and by the end of the session I had a really good feeling, with proper confidence. The car is very neutral and well balanced, which makes it easy to drive.
"Together with BFGoodrich we tried several different types of tyre, which allowed me to have a better understanding of what will be available to me on the rally itself. The BFGoodrich technician explained to me which tyres covered which range of conditions and how I should adjust the pressures: always an important factor on the Ypres Rally. We also looked at different ways in which we could cut the tyres, just in case it is raining next week.
"Generally speaking, I feel quite confident and I was able to take advantage of lots of good advice during the test session, which will stand me in extremely good stead. It's just down to me to rack up more kilometres now!"
![Patrick Snijers. BFGoodrich Drivers Team. Ypres test. [Pic credit: BFG / Francois Walschaerts]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/456785.jpg)
