The fourth annual vintage-flavored on and off-road rally is scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 27 with a pre-event technical inspection, vehicle display and driver's meeting all taking place at the historic bullring in Mexicali, Baja, Mexico.

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Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn praised his lead driver's performance.

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And Manor technical director Nick Wirth said he was delighted to have secured a driver with a proven F1 record having raced in 36 grands prix, scoring 51 points.

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"I am excited to become part of a highly talented and capable technical organization, " said Lowe, who follows 2008 world championship-winning driver Lewis Hamilton in swapping McLaren for Mercedes, in a statement.

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Jeff Greenberg, a senior technical leader involved with the Ford research, says the broad goal is to minimize driver distraction and stress.

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