The Monster Energy X-raid Team has completed a successful two-day test session with the new MINI All4 Racing at Le Creusot in France.

Driver Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Michel Périn carried out the successful test on Monday, December 13th and Tuesday, December 14th, near Le Creusot, in the Saône-et-Loire department of the Burgundy region of France, south west of Dijon.

"After the short roll-out last Friday in Trebur, I was very excited to drive the car on the test track for the first time and was really content with everything," enthused Chicherit, who finished fifth in the Dakar with the Xraid team in 2010. "The handling is excellent, the engine is very responsive and it is well balanced at jumps because of the improved center of gravity. The view out of the car is much better than we were led to believe when the car was being built. Visibility is good and there is no disadvantage compared to the BMW X3CC."

The MINI All4 Racing will be sent next week to South America by airfreight and Chicherit and Périn will give it its competitive debut on the 2011 Dakar Rally, starting on New Year's Day in Buenos Aires, Argentina.