Up-and-coming young Frenchman Sebastien Ogier, the reigning Junior World Rally Champion, has been nominated to drive for the BFGoodrich Drivers Team on the forthcoming Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo (January 21-24). The Frenchman will take part in the opening round of the 2009 Intercontinental Rallye Challenge (IRC) at the wheel of a Kronos-run Peugeot 207 S2000.

The 2009 BFGoodrich Drivers Team programme will give drivers from five countries an opportunity to contest their home round of the IRC. From the 75 applications received for the drive in Monte Carlo, an initial shortlist of five crews was drawn up by BFGoodrich and Kronos Racing, before Ogier was selected by the national media.

Ogier will compete in a Peugeot 207 Super 2000 alongside the three other drivers run by Kronos Racing: Nicolas Vouilloz, Freddy Loix and Kris Meeke. Both the car and the BFGoodrich Drivers Team crew will be managed by Kronos Racing, the same team which took Sebastien Loeb to the World Rally Championship Drivers' title in 2006.

"It's fantastic news," said Ogier. "I wasn't expecting to be chosen, but it was a real dream for me. I would like to thank BFGoodrich for putting together this exceptional programme, as well as the panel for putting their confidence in me. I have no intention of letting them down."

A test session will be organised near Monaco on January 16 to give Ogier a chance to familiarise himself with the Peugeot 207 S2000. The next step will be the start of the legendary Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo itself, on which he will be targeting a top finish.

Marc Van Dalen, the team manager of Kronos Racing, commented: "Given the exceptionally high standard of the drivers whose names figured on the shortlist, it was a very tough call indeed. In the end, the vote went to a very promising young driver who is none other than the defending Junior World Champion. His experience will help us to be competitive on the Monte Carlo which could well turn out to be difficult given the recent spell of wintry weather."

JEREB TO COMPETE IN MONTE CARLO

One of Slovenia's leading rally drivers, Andrej Jereb will contest the Monte Carlo Rally, making his competitive debut in a Super 2000 car. It will be Jereb's second attempt at the Monte, having previously competed there in 2006. Jereb and his co-driver Miran Kacin will enter this event with a Peugeot 207 S2000 run by from Italian Friulmotor Team.

"I've only driven this type of car once two years ago, so I still have very limited experience with S2000," said Jereb prior to his departure for the Principality. "The competition will be fierce and the rally itinerary similar to how it was decades ago. An important aspect of this event is always the weather. We can expect some snow and ice, especially on the night stages. It's going to be really tough towards the end," added Jereb.

The Slovenian has already given his seal of approval to the IRC concept. "The IRC organisers have done a very good job," he said. "I think everyone can learn a lot from this series." The Monte Carlo Rally will take place from January 21-24. A total of 14 special stages comprising 359 competitive kilometres will be run around Monte Carlo and Valence.

MONTE CARLO ENTRY LIST REVEALED

The Monte Carlo Rally has revealed its 2009 entry list, with 65 crews listed. Leading the competitors off the start ramp will be the reigning IRC champion Nicolas Vouilloz, driving a Peugeot 207 S2000 run by Peugeot Belgium.

Just behind him, running as car number two, will be Giandomenico Basso's factory Abarth Grande Punto. Basso is the first of three factory Abarths entered, with the other cars being entrusted to Luca Rossetti (car number five) and Anton Alen (car number 11). Behind Basso will be the first of the two new Skoda Fabia S2000s, driven by Juho Hanninen (car number three) and Jan Kopecky (car number six). Following Hanninen off the start ramp is the second Peugeot Belgium car, driven by last year's IRC runner-up Freddy Loix.

Other leading entries to look out for are Stephane Sarrazin, driving a car entered by the main Peugeot factory team on the Monte Carlo Rally for the first time since the days of the Peugeot 307 WRC in 2005. Immediately behind him, as car number eight, is the 1994 World Rally Champion Didier Auriol. Car nine is the BFGoodrich Drivers' Team entry, piloted by reigning Junior World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier. Rounding out the top 10 off the ramp is well-known World Rally Championship driver Toni Gardemeister, who has finished second on the Monte Carlo Rally in the past.

The top Mitsubishi driver is local man Richard Frau, while Volkswagen is represented by British driver Nick West. Marco Cavigioli will start as car number 40, to defend the IRC 2WD Cup title in his familiar Fiat Punto diesel.