Skoda rallying to the cause at Goodwood Festival of Speed

For the first time in its history, Skoda Auto will be officially represented at the Goodwood Festival of Speed – one of the biggest and most entertaining events on the British motoring calendar.

The company’s rich motorsport heritage will be celebrated with the appearance of a Skoda Fabia WRC car – the car in which British rally legend Colin McRae drove in last year’s Rally of Great Britain. The 300bhp, four wheel drive machine is being bought to the UK by the Belgian First Motorsport team, which runs two factory-supported Fabia WRCs in the 2006 World Rally Championship.

Already confirmed to drive the car is Belgian rally ace François Duval. The 26-year old will join a host of rally legends past and present during what will be a spectacular event for all rally enthusiasts.

The Fabia WRC will compete on both the famous Goodwood hillclimb course and the newly-expanded rally stage which will give spectators unrivalled access to some of the most exotic competition cars ever made. This year, however, the fun also has a serious side. The Fabia WRC’s first ever appearance at Goodwood is just part of a spectacular show staged to mark the launch of the Richard Burns Foundation. Set up in memory of the 2003 World Rally Champion who lost his fight against cancer last year aged just 34, the charity aims to raise resources and awareness to help people fight against adversity – supporting projects aimed at care, prevention, and giving quality of life to people living with brain cancer and other conditions that can have a severe impact on their lives.

Skoda’s design history will also be celebrated at this year’s event. Among the cars competing in the prestigious Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ design competition will be a Skoda Popular Monte Carlo.

The classic 1930s coupe is regarded as one of Skoda’s most elegant and beautiful designs and is bound to win over the celebrity judges who this year include film director George Lucas, David Linley, ballerina Deborah Bull and painter Rolf Harris. The prize is the coveted ‘best of show’ title.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from the 7-9 July.