ŠKODA AT MONTE CARLO RALLY

A total of 10 Fabia Super 2000 will appear at the legendary Monte Carlo Rally this month (19th-22nd). This is the opening round of the 2011 Intercontinental Rally Challenge Series (IRC), in which Škoda will defend its 2010 Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ titles.

Škoda Motorsport (factory team) will appear with both of its successful crews – last year's IRC winners Juho Hänninen & Mikko Markkula and runners-up, Jan Kopecký and Petr Starý. Škoda Motorsport's all-conquering Fabia Super 2000 project has received positive feedback from Škoda importers in many markets. As a result, the Monte Carlo Rally will see some big names driving a Fabia Super 2000, including Škoda UK Motorsport’s new driver Andreas Mikkelsen, the 2008 IRC Drivers’ Champion Nicolas Vouilloz, Freddy Loix (winner of three IRC races in 2010) and Mark Wallenwein of Škoda Auto Germany. A number of other Fabia Super 2000 are going to appear in the colours of private teams, all of whom are planning to fight for the best possible result in Monte Carlo, one of the world's most challenging rally events.

The Škoda Motorsport team will introduce an updated livery for Monte Carlo - the most striking element of which is the strong shade of green which has become synonymous with the Škoda brand. In contrast with the design used over the past few years, the new green-and-white combination has been reversed. The front doors will also bear a logo commemorating 110 years of Škoda’s participation in motorsport – an accolade only a handful of manufacturers can claim.

The Monte Carlo Rally starts on 19 January in the area around Valence, France, and ends with night-time special stages in the mountains near Monte Carlo in the early hours of the morning on 22 January. Drivers can look forward to a total of 13 special stages (337 competition kilometres) and over a thousand kilometres of road sections plus unpredictable weather, as is usual this time of the year.

Credits: wilswong