Capirossi and Denning prepare for Saturday rally

Allies in the Rizla Suzuki garage, MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi and Team Manager Paul Denning have been preparing for a four-wheeled weekend showdown in England following the conclusion of the 2008 season.

The duo are in training for the final Tempest Rally event of the year, which takes place this Saturday at the Rushmoor Arena in Aldershot. A Tuesday test at Northamptonshire´s Turweston Aerodrome enabled Capirossi and his boss to get to grips with the Suzuki Swift Sport, and meet up with respective co-drivers Craig Thorley and Jemma Bellingham.

Around 100 laps were undertaken between the pair, on a gravel circuit designed to simulate the conditions that they can expect on Saturday. They rode in both daylight and dusk in order to add to the realism, with Capirossi´s car standing out further through its carrying his trademark number 65.

`The car is great fun to drive, and I´m really looking forward to the race,´ says the Italian. `It´s completely different to what I´m used to, but the car is very well set up and easy to control. I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to compete in the Tempest Rally, and I appreciate the support that Suzuki has provided to ensure that I have the best possible car.´

Capirossi has previously competed in the Bologna Rallysprint event in his homeland, whilst Denning will have home advantage in his attempt to beat his rider.