Monte Carlo Rally 2006: Red Bull Skoda Team - FinishThe Frenchman Gilles Panizzi and Austrian Andreas Aigner completed the premiere of the Austrian rally team BRR at the World Rally Championship 2006. A premiere, which was marked by surprises and fulfilled expectations.
The World Rally Championship had a tempestuous beginning with alternating highs and lows for the Austrian team BRR (Baumschlager Rally Racing), which was first founded only in December 2005 and is rated as a `Manufacturer 2` team at the start.
"The modifications we made to the Skoda Fabia WRC yesterday evening really had a positive effect," said Panizzi. "We were able to set some very competitive times. Unfortunately we damaged the suspension and a brake disc in a small incident and lost a lot of time. After changing the rear axle, everything was back to normal in the afternoon. All in all we`ve got to be satisfied. We were able to prove the potential of the Skoda Fabia WRC not only in the beginning of the rally with a second place in the interim results, but today as well."
For Andreas Aigner, the Monte Carlo Rally was his first WC race in a World Rally Car (WRC) – “not exactly the easiest rally to start with," the 21-year-old observed.
On the very first day the young Styrian found himself going backwards not forwards. Heavy good vehicles had blocked the road connecting Monte Carlo and St. Saveur, which meant that 40 drivers, including Andreas Aigner, had to take the road back to Monte Carlo. The rest of the rally went off better – the team rookie met expectations, drove consistently, acquired initial experience and ended up ranked 13 overall.
New Territory and Curriculum for the Rookie
Aigner, who first sat in a rally car when he was 19 and whose career began in 2004 with the Red Bull Rally Driver Search Program, will be at the start in nine additional WC races in the Red Bull Skoda Fabia WRC.
“He has exceptional talent,” said team director Raimund Baumschlager, “but he still has a lot to learn.”
The learning curve is likely to be steepest in the first half of the year, for all the courses until August will be new territory for the young Austrian. But thereafter, Aigner should feel comfortable enough with the car and the courses for better placings. “Andreas knows the courses in Germany, Cyprus, Turkey and Wales. He`ll show his potential there," Baumschlager is convinced.
The Second Man
While Andreas Aigner is slated for 10 WC races, it has not yet been determined who will pilot the second Fabia WRC in the second half of the year. Asphalt specialist Gilles Panizzi, who had started in a strong position in Monte Carlo (despite a spin the Frenchman was in 4th place from the first day onwards), but had to be content with the 10th place in the end with a car that proved increasingly nervous, will be in action again for the racing in Spain and Corsica. For the WC course in Sweden, DTM star and local hero Mattias Ekström will represent the Red Bull Skoda team. Who Aigner`s team-mate will be from Sardinia onward will be determined at a later point in time.
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