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Dumas, Bernhard to Race Porsche 911 GT3 in National Rallies

Two of the most successful drivers in the recent history of sportscar endurance racing, Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) are set to embark on personal journeys into the world of rallying. In parallel to their commitments in the Le Mans Series, the duo will each drive a Porsche 911 GT3 in their national rally championship throughout the 2011 campaign.

As far as Bernhard goes, he will take the wheel of a 2009-spec Porsche 911 GT3 in the German Rally Championship for Rally Team 75. Interestingly enough, the team is headed by none other than Bernhard's father Rudiger, while the car is being set up at the PZ Mannheim Penske Sports Car Centre.

We’re very pleased to now go rallying for Porsche,” said Bernhard, who was recently voted off 2010 ADAC Race Driver of the Year following his win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. “Obviously, my circuit racing schedule has top priority. But thanks to sponsors and partners and the active backing from Porsche Centre Mannheim, which belongs to the group of companies of my former team boss Roger Penske, we can put such a fantastic private rally project on its feet."

The German will be co-driven by Marco Glasen, with whom he has partnered until now in several national rally outings on board of a Golf 3 Kitcar.

If 2011 will be Bernhard's first rallying season with a Porsche 911 GT3, things are a bit different in Dumas' case. The Frenchman will start off his 4th campaign in the French Rally Championship with Porsche, after having previously raced on a 911 GT3 RS type 996.

Rallying is great fun. For me it’s the perfect balance to my activities on the race track. With my time-tested car I’ve already notched up eleven class and six overall wins. With the new 911 GT3 RS we’ll for sure be even more competitive,” said Dumas, who became the only driver to have won the 24 hour races in Le Mans and Spa in the same year, in 2010.
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