WSB star Slight joins Peugeot line-up.

Aaron Slight, the New Zealand motorcycle racer, has joined Peugeot's touring car team for 2001 after turning down superbike offers in America.

Slight, who started competing in 1979, has been a leader in World Superbikes since 1992, achieving 13 race wins and consistent top three championship placings, but has turned his back on bikes after watching rival Scott Russell suffer career-threatening injuries at the recent Daytona enduro.

The New Zealander's limited four-wheel racing career includes a touring car Tourist Trophy drive in 1997, where he qualified seventh in a Honda Accord, but was punted off in the race. He also contested the 1999 Pukekohe 500 in New Zealand, and led until the final 20 minutes before mechanical failure causing retirement.

For 2001, Slight joins the official Peugeot race team for ten races - five touring car meetings - and becomes a racing driver rather than rider.

"Driving in the BTCC for the factory Peugeot team is a dream come true," he enthused, "I have always wanted to race cars and I've done a few competitive car races in the past. To drive for a global company like Peugeot will be awesome, and I look forward to working with them.

"The race car looks great, if it goes half as fast as it looks; the Peugeot team is in for a storming year. I am looking forward to testing as I have a lot to learn in a short time this year, but I will be giving it all to succeed and hope to be in a championship winning position in 2002.

"I would like to thank Peugeot Sport, Mick Linford and Vic Lee for giving me this opportunity for 2001 and 2002 as well as Richard West of TOCA and my manager Tubbs Wanigasekera."

"Any motorcycle racer who successfully competes at World Superbike level has a special quality," explained Peugeot motorsport director Mick Linford, "Their awareness and ability to instantly read a track and assess a situation is second to none. Aaron will be an asset to the team, and we look forward to working with him. He has a very professional approach and sees this as a progression in his career. He will not be out there simply to play and shouldn't be underestimated. Bike racers don't give up easily and the word 'concede' isn't even in their vocabulary."

Other notable highlights of Slight's career include three race wins in the prestigious Suzuka Eight Hour, as well as Australian and Pan-Pacific championships. He joins Dan Eaves, Matt Neal and Steve Soper in the Peugeot line-up.