ŠkodaPortal.cz Simply clever

Mladá Boleslav, 2 April, 2012 – ŠKODA has made a very good start to this year's IRC by scoring two "doubles" in the Azores and the Canary Islands, and its ambition is to continue its success story in the upcoming rally in Ireland that is this year's first event to see ŠKODA's factory team ŠKODA Motorsport at full strength (Kopecký & Dresler and Hänninen & Markkula). The list of drivers to appear in Ireland also includes the reigning IRC champion and leader of the current IRC standings Andreas Mikkelsen of ŠKODA UK Motorsport.

The Ireland Rally is part of the IRC Championship for the first time in history. "Ireland is an unknown event to us", says Jan Kopecký and goes on to say: "The route is full of bumpy, narrow roads with highly slippery asphalt, but we will do our best to continue the streak of successful performances and help ŠKODA reinforce its position in the Manufacturers category by winning some more valuable points".

Juho Hänninen adds: "This event will be my premiere in Ireland and I believe it will be one of the most difficult asphalt rallies I have ever taken part in. The tracks are fast but narrow, and the asphalt which is very different from the usual type is very likely to play a major role. If it rains, the track will be full of impurities, which may be very tricky".

Taking place in the surroundings of Armagh and Belfast, the Ireland Rally consists of 15 stages (222 kilometres) including night-time parts during Friday's leg. The list of participants includes Sepp Wiegand of ŠKODA AUTO Deutschland who is third in the current IRC standings and Robert Barrable in a Fabia Super 2000 who is supported by the local ŠKODA importer.

Podobné články