A qualified surveyor by trade, Daniel Grataloup is better known for his sporting exploits. Not only is he one of the world’s leading co-drivers, he is an accomplished long-distance runner, skier and endurance cyclist. At just 16 he completed the gruelling Alpine Cycle Marathon, which included 18 mountain passes in a 1200km route. Two years later, in 1978, he ran in the French junior cross-country team, finishing ninth in the European Championships.

Although his rally career began in 1978, major success did not come until 1989 when he partnered Bruno Saby and the pair finished second in the French Championship. In 1990 they went on to win the Gravel Championship, finishing second again in the asphalt series, and fourth on the Tour de Corse. The following year they repeated their loose surface success and finished sixth in the famous Rallye Monte-Carlo.

When François Delecour’s co-driver, Anne Chantal-Pauwels, announced her retirement, François had no hesitation in inviting Grataloup to join him in the official Ford team. They finished third on their debut in a Sierra in the 1991 Catalunya Rally and completed the season with sixth in the RAC Rally.

Daniel partnered Delecour to sixth in the 1992 World Championship and a fine second in the following year’s series when they won in Portugal, Corsica and Spain. The esteem in which Daniel was held was evident by his nomination as co-driver of the year in 1993.

The duo won Rallye Monte-Carlo in 1994 before François was sidelined for much of the season through injury. As a result Daniel teamed up with Marc Duez in Belgium’s three biggest rallies, contesting the Boucles de Spa, 24 Hours of Ieper and Condroz rallies.

Daniel and François’ partnership was renewed at Peugeot in 1996, the pair campaigning a two-wheel drive 306 Maxi initially before returning to a World Championship programme in a 206 World Rally Car in 1999. In 2000 the pair finished sixth in the series, having taken second in both Corsica and Italy, helping Peugeot to the manufacturers’ title.

For 2001, the duo renewed their association with Ford and finished in the points in no fewer than seven of the 13 events they contested. Despite a significant accident in Australia, Daniel is back in the navigator’s seat for 2002 and he and François are confident of success in their debut year with Mitsubishi Ralliart.