Skoda UK signs...... Mikkelsen

[pettersolberg29]

Really excited about this news - its been on the cards for quite a while now since Mikkelsen drove the Fabia last year. His pace in France was sensational, and with a mix of best car and best tyres, I think he could win the IRC next year. His tarmac pace is better than people give him credit for and his gravel pace has been clear for years now.

[muratgunarslan]

i think, andreas has a big budget, so skoda uk prefer andreas for this budget.

i think, he is a good driver, and will win a rally next year, but not can be a irc champion.

[bluuford]

i think, andreas has a big budget, so skoda uk prefer andreas for this budget.

i think, he is a good driver, and will win a rally next year, but not can be a irc champion.

Well, if he gets factory supported Skoda, then I cannot see the reason why he should not win the IRC title in 2011. Moreover, he is my clear favorite for the title (in case he is not using Hankook tires ;-)).

However, Peugeot has promised various updates for 207 but they promised those updates before but those have not been major steps forward and its sound more like PR story already.

[JTGANG]

I am seeing that Skoda has some top (at least for IRC) drivers like Mikkelsen,Kopecky,Loix,Hanninen and Peugeot names like Bouffier,Neuville,Andreucci,Wilks......I am wondering if Ford will support
their Fiesta S2000 project with some equal names like above.....i heard
that maybe will sign with Basso ??? can anyone confirm ????

[Valets]

Hmm, interesting, but, of course, it's great news for Mikkelsen supporters! Now it's possible going for the 1st win next year, but I think not for the title yet..
http://sportacentrs.com/motoru_sport...tis_ligumu_ar_

[pettersolberg29]

i think, andreas has a big budget, so skoda uk prefer andreas for this budget.

i think, he is a good driver, and will win a rally next year, but not can be a irc champion.

Andreas no longer has a huge 'personal' budget as his father no longer pays for his rallying - money was the reason Andreas got a Focus in 2007/08, but since then he's been scraping money together and trying to get sponsors.
More likely, sponsors have been awoken to his talent and want to get on board. That's just my personal opinion, but I do not beleive much of the Mikkelsen personal money has gone into securing this deal.

[Mirek]

Guys, do You know who and when was the first ever Škoda UK driver (called Škoda GB that time)? It was Norwegian John Haugland in 1970' (sometimes co-driven by Martin Holmes). History repeats itself. Maybe John has something to do with that?

[Mirek]

I am seeing that Skoda has some top (at least for IRC) drivers like Mikkelsen,Kopecky,Loix,Hanninen and Peugeot names like Bouffier,Neuville,Andreucci,Wilks......I am wondering if Ford will support
their Fiesta S2000 project with some equal names like above.....i heard
that maybe will sign with Basso ??? can anyone confirm ????

Hänninen will drive only two or three IRC events. I heard same rumor about Basso, but nothing confirmed.

[RS]

Guys, do You know who and when was the first ever Škoda UK driver (called Škoda GB that time)? It was Norwegian John Haugland in 1970' (sometimes co-driven by Martin Holmes). History repeats itself. Maybe John has something to do with that?

And another Skoda UK driver; Stig Blomqvist.

[RS]

Hänninen will drive only two or three IRC events. I heard same rumor about Basso, but nothing confirmed.

Basso in any car for a whole season would be fantastic, even a Punto. Fiesta even better.