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Mladá Boleslav, 14 October, 2012 – With two events still to go, ŠKODA's Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (factory crew) have already won this year's European Championship. This is one of the reason why ŠKODA has decided to test new talent behind the wheel of its factory ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 at the Poland Rally - this year's Finnish Rally Champion Esapekka Lappi.

Hänninen & Markkula have won four events of this year's European Championship – in Croatia, Belgium, Turkey and at the Barum Czech Rally Zlín. This is the first European Championship title for a driver of the Fabia Super 2000. Furthermore, Juho Hänninen has become the only driver worldwide to have won the IRC Championship (2010), the SWRC (World Championship, 2011) and the European Championship.

This situation has brought ŠKODA to a decision to test new talent in its factory Fabia Super 2000 – this year's Finnish Rally Champion Esapekka Lappi (21) with his co-driver Janne Ferm (32). One of the world's oldest rallies, the Rally ´Rajd Polski´ will take the crews to the Mazur Lakes.

Commenting on Esapekka Lappi's upcoming appearance in Poland, Head of ŠKODA Motorsport Michal Hrabánek says: "We have been watching Esapekka for quite some time and we believe that he is a new rallying talent. We have decided to give him an opportunity to appear in one of this year's rallies, and this one is taking place on gravel, a surface he likes."

Esapekka Lappi seems to be thrilled to bits about ŠKODA Motorsport's offer: "It is every driver's dream to get an offer from a factory team. Although this one is for just one event, it is another step forward in my career. ŠKODA has made fantastic achievements with the Fabia Super 2000, and I am hoping to put a really good performance in Poland. Janne and I very much appreciate this opportunity".

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