As part of the MINI ALL4 Racing team, London-based Hunt, 26, will drive 10,000 kilometres across deserts, mountains, sand dunes and salt flats through South America in the ultimate orienteering and endurance test.

2016 will represent the first time Hunt competes in the Dakar Rally but he has already made big strides in the world of rally driving. He was named ‘Rookie of the Year’ in his first year of world championship rallying in 2011 and more recently earned a podium place at the Abu Dhabi Dessert Challenge this year on his debut in the MINI ALL4 Racing.

MINI ALL4 Racing driver Nasser Al-Attiyah won the Dakar Rally in 2015, securing MINI its fourth consecutive title.

Commenting on the new partnership, Hunt 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, “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.”

Harry Hunt will be among the motorsport legends at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from 25th-28th June, racing up the famous Hillclimb in his MINI ALL4 Racing twice daily on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

When Hunt is not rallying, he has an MINI JCW ALL4 Countryman to drive around London.

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For more information on MINI UK, visit www.MINI.co.uk

For more information or tickets to Goodwood Festival of Speed, visit: www.goodwood.com

For more information on the Dakar Rally 2016 visit: www.dakar.com