Rally Tour de Corse : Skoda Motorsport - Preview
The Škoda Motorsport World Rally Team heads to Corsica (October 20-23) for the first of two back-to-back asphalt rallies in the Mediterranean region, the Catalunya-Costa Daurada Rally taking place immediately afterwards (October 27-30).
Armin Schwarz/Klaus Wicha lead the team as usual while the second Fabia WRC 05 will be driven by the French crew of Alex Bengue/Caroline Escudero and a third Fabia will be in the hands of Czech Champions Jan Kopecký/Filip Schovánek.
The Corsica Rally is also known as the Rally of 10,000 Corners. Corsica has a fearsome reputation with its twisting asphalt roads thread their way along the mountainsides with deep ravines at the edge. Accurate pace notes and 100% concentration from both driver and co-driver are essential.
Armin Schwarz
“Corsica is one of the nicest asphalt rallies. The surface is smoother than it used to be but the new format of long stages and reduced service makes it a big challenge. The autumn weather can be critical here also as we have seen many times in the past.”
Alex Bengue
“I know this event very well of course. I like it very much because it has a unique challenge for me. The roads are fantastic and there is a lot of good grip which should suit our car. I`m more confident about this rally than any of the others I have driven so far so I hope I can do well.”
Jan Kopecky
“Corsica is the most difficult asphalt rally in the championship. I did the recce last year but this will be my first time there as a competitor. I will have to be very careful and treat it as a learning exercise but it will be very good practice for me.”
Martin Muehlmeier, Head of the Škoda Motorsport World Rally Team
"Two events so close together will be tough for everyone but I hope we can get good results in both Corsica and Catalunya. Armin knows both events very well, especially on the older stages in Spain, so he should have no problems. Alex is on his home event and we want him to show his true potential. Corsica will not be easy for Jan on his first visit but Spain will be easier and I hope he can show the kind of performance he did in Germany.”
Thursday evening sees a ceremonial start at Place Foch in the centre of Ajaccio, the island`s capital. Friday features two stages, each run twice, to the south east of the town, totalling 121.34kms. Saturday`s leg sees a similar format of two stages run twice (totalling124.88kms) to the north east of Ajaccio. Sunday`s final leg is to the south of the town and again includes two stages run twice (totalling 95.46kms) before the finish at 1350 CET.


Tags: tour-de-corse, corsica, skoda, fabia, france,