Skoda UK confirms IRC runs in Brazil and Argentina
Skoda UK Motorsport will enter Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge, running its Fabia S2000 on Rally International de Curitiba in Brazil (4-6 March) and Rally Argentina (19-21 March) driven by Guy Wilks and co-driver Phil Pugh.
The timing of the announcement coincides with Guy's 29th birthday today - proving that Skoda really does make happy drivers!
In addition to the opening round, Rallye Monte Carlo, Skoda UK Motorsport has already announced it will contest its home round of the IRC, the RACMSA Rally of Scotland (14-16 October), and participation in other rounds will be confirmed later.
Guy won the FIA Junior World Rally Championship category on his previous appearance on Rally Argentina in 2006. Rallying in Brazil will be a new experience for the Guy, and he'll test the car on gravel in Europe beforehand. His only other gravel rally in a Fabia S2000 resulted in victory on last year's Rally of Scotland.
Guy Wilks: "It's fantastic news that we are going to Brazil and Argentina, because contesting all three opening rallies improves our chances of success in the IRC.
"I've never been to Brazil, but I'm very excited about rallying somewhere new. We'll take it as we see it and it will also be perfect preparation for Argentina.
"Rally Argentina is a great event and I'm really looking forward to going back there. You always want to do well, and that's what we're planning to do in Brazil and Argentina.
Robert Hazelwood, Head of Skoda UK Motorsport: "After the encouraging start to the IRC on Rallye Monte Carlo, I'm delighted to announce that we are going to contest both rallies in Brazil and Argentina. It's an exciting development for the brand in the UK and we're looking forward to competing in the Southern Hemisphere."
