Loris Capirossi impresses in Suzuki rally shakedown

Loris Capirossi might be one of the fastest MotoGP riders on the planet, but he showed that he’s also pretty handy on four wheels as he prepared for an appearance in the final round of the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup this weekend.

Capirossi completed a successful test in the 123bhp Swift car during a shakedown at the Turweston Aerodrome in Northamptonshire yesterday, gaining experience of the conditions the Italian will experience in Saturday’s Tempest Rally in Hampshire.

The rally will be held on an 80km course through the forests and military training grounds of Aldershot, and Capirossi warmed up by gaining precious time behind the wheel alongside co-driver Craig Thorley.

Adding intrigue to this weekend’s rally is that triple world champion Capirossi will be up against factory Suzuki MotoGP boss Paul Denning.

Denning was also at yesterday’s test, driving laps with co-driver Jemma Bellingham, and with the bragging rites at stake in the team for 2009, Capirossi said: “There could be 100 people taking part in this rally but I don’t care. The only person I want to beat is Paul. If I don’t beat him then 2009 will be terrible for me because I will never hear the end of it.

“He came to my house in Monaco earlier this year and we rode trials bikes and he thought he was stronger but after 20 minutes he was already complaining. I’ll be trying to beat him that’s for sure.”

Capirossi’s car will sport his famous number 65 and he added: “The car is great fun to drive, and I’m really looking forward to the race. It’s completely different to what I’m used to, but the car is very well set up and easy to control.”

Denning “The performance of the Swift “Sport Cup” car is very impressive, and after only a few laps, I was able to develop confidence and understand its limits. During the session, there were fewer obstacles on the course than what would be in the race itself, which meant that I could be more aggressive, but when it comes to the rally, I will have to adapt my driving style and take it easier on the throttle.”