Skoda UK signs...... Mikkelsen

[wildsir]

Skoda signs Mikkelsen for 2011
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88088

[sal]

And people question why we dont have any Brits at the top level....

Can see it from Skoda UK's perspective in one way that they now have a driver capable of winning but think it's a major own goal from a marketing perspective not having a UK driver...

[RS]

Well Andreas speaks good English....

Didn't see that one coming, but I have no doubt that Andreas is faster than all of the brits who were available. It's good news for the IRC for sure.

I don't suppose Mr Quesnel is going to like this, but then we have seen 'Peugeot Italy' & 'Peugeot Czech Repbulic' employing Bouffier & Ogier!

[PLuto]

I was also surprised, when I have heard it for first time. But it looks that Skoda UK wants to have a driver who is able to fight for win. And there is no other British driver after Kris and Guy, who should be able...

P.S. Ron, this is the info why I wanted you yesterday ;-)

[urabus-denoS2000]

Surprising move but very understandable . Anyone close to that deal in my opinion would be Cronin , but he's Irish anyway . And he has an enormous lack of international experience

[AndyRAC]

Completely agree. The problem is that all our young drivers have very little experience of IRC/ WRC events – whereas Wilks/Meeke were JWRC contenders. The issue is getting all these youngsters out on these events, and getting experience. However, £££££££ is the problem in getting drives. What does it say about the state of British rallying when the UK importer puts a Norwegian in the car - even though it’s a sensible decision.

[RS]

The UK needs a better ladder below IRC/WRC level.

The fact is that the best British people for the role were Alister McRae or Mark Higgins who are both pretty ancient now. Either could have done a decent job in my opinion (McRae has often been quicker than highly-rated Chris Atkinson in the Proton) but also neither would likely be as quick as Mikkelsen.

[PLuto]

Completely agree. The problem is that all our young drivers have very little experience of IRC/ WRC events – whereas Wilks/Meeke were JWRC contenders. The issue is getting all these youngsters out on these events, and getting experience. However, £££££££ is the problem in getting drives. What does it say about the state of British rallying when the UK importer puts a Norwegian in the car - even though it’s a sensible decision.

Not always are the biggest problems money, but also their goodwill to make a risk, to go abroad. Lot of drivers should be able to do few starts abroad, but they prefer to stay on home sand and fight on well known roads... Mid-age group of good drivers on international level is missing, it is pity. But future should be better - there is Craig Breen, Keith Cronin, Tom Cave, maybe Harry Hunt...

[sal]

It's nothing new after all. In the heady days of the Open Championship in the 70s and 80s UK Dealer teams employed Finnish and Swedish drivers as they knew they were quick. I just think it's sad that now we supposedly have the MSA backed driver programme that money and or resources are not really being put into a concerted effort to getting young Brits at the top level. With no experience of the events and no consistent results it's going to be a brave team manager who takes a gamble on unproven talent in todays market. If you leave it up to commercial factors then the teams are obviously going to employ drivers who have the necessary experience. I doubt however we will ever see Skoda Norway or Peugeot Finland ever giving a drive to a Brit in similar circumstances but hey ho...

[Pinto]

fact is there isnt talent in the uk at the moment,the top uk driver this year is the elder Gyndaf Evans and over the last few years its been Mark Higgins two top class drivers in my oppinion but at the wrong end of the age scale.

in the last two years Irish drivers have invaded the uk and plundered simply because the uk drivers arent up to them,why well i dont know maybe we have a rich vain of talent.