Champion Mikkelsen to benefit from Zlin experience

Andreas Mikkelsen will be hoping experience counts when the Intercontinental Rally Challenge resumes with the live television spectacular in Czech Republic this week.

Mikkelsen, the defending IRC champion, has tackled Barum Czech Rally Zlín three times – more than any other round of the all-action series. He also made his IRC debut on the asphalt event back in 2009. He has finished fifth on the rally twice, in 2010 and 2011, which is currently his best result.

“I’ve done the Barum Rally more times than any other IRC event, so I know it well,” said the ŠKODA UK Motorsport driver, 23. “We were very fast there last year, until a puncture slowed us down, and I can’t wait to go back there for the fourth time.

“After victory in Sibiu, I’m feeling quite confident and I’m going there for a good result. Barum is a special event – all the ŠKODA Fabias will be very fast, because they are every year, and it won’t be easy fighting with the likes of Jan [Kopecký] and Juho [Hänninen], but I think we can put on a good display.”

Mikkelsen, from Norway, leads the IRC drivers’ standings by 49 points. Barum Czech Rally Zlín takes place from 31 August-2 September.