BRITISH rally driver Harry Hunt has been announced as the new MINI brand ambassador and one of the youngest competitors to take part in next year’s gruelling Dakar rally, in which MINI has been so successful with heavily modified Countrymans.

London-based Harry, 26, will drive 10,000 kilometres across the deserts, mountains, sand dunes and salt flats of South America in the ultimate endurance test.

2016 may be the first time Harry competes in the Dakar Rally but he has already made his mark in the world of rally driving. He was named ‘Rookie of the Year’ in his first year of world championship rallying in 2011 and this year earned a podium place at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in his debut for MINI ALL4 Racing.

Harry says, “This is an incredibly exciting year for me and I am honoured to be working with MINI. I know the challenge will be tough but to have the chance to drive a championship-winning machine at my age is a dream come true. I really hope I can pay back the faith MINI has shown to me with a good result at Dakar 2016.”

Michelle Roberts, MINI UK General Manager, Brand Communications, said of the partnership: “MINI has racing in its DNA and an impressive track record at Dakar so we are really excited to be supporting a young British driver with such a promising career. Harry is one of the hottest new racing talents – I am looking forward to seeing him in action as part of the X-Raid team behind the wheel of the MINI ALL4 Racing at Dakar 2016.”

When not rallying, Harry drives a MINI JCW ALL4 Countryman.