Corsica - IRC news before SS9

Crew unharmed as dramatic fire destroys car

Jean-Dominique Mattei and Patrick Scipilitti escaped unharmed before their ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 became engulfed in flames on stage eight of Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse yesterday (Friday).

Mattei and Scipilitti were in 13th position on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event when their car caught fire nearing the finish of the 24.67-kilometre Erbajolo-Pont d’Altiani stage on Friday afternoon.

Unfortunately, the fire quickly took hold, prompting event organisers to take the sensible decision to stop the stage.

Wiegand turns to Kopecky and Mikkelsen for driving advice

Rising star Sepp Wiegand has turned to established ŠKODA aces Jan Kopecký and Andreas Mikkelsen for advice on how best to drive his Fabia Super 2000 on Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse’s demanding asphalt stages.

Although the German is on course for his fourth points finish of his debut season in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in eighth overall, his lack of experience means he feels he can still improve behind the wheel of his ŠKODA Auto Deutschland entry.

“Before I was too aggressive, now I have changed my driving style so I am using the brakes less and trying to take cleaner lines,” said Wiegand. “By braking earlier I can get on the power earlier and this is really helping me.”

Aigner to run first on the road on final day in Corsica

Andreas Aigner’s efforts on day two of Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse have been rewarded with the Austrian handed the honour of running first on the road through the final six stages today (Saturday).

Aigner, from Austria, heads the IRC Production Cup standings in an impressive 10th overall in his Stohl Racing Subaru Impreza R4 STI. It will mean he will be the first driver to be captured tackling stages 10 and 14 live on Eurosport later today.

Jean-Mathieu Leandri, in a Saintéloc Racing Peugeot 207, starts second with ŠKODA Auto Deutschland’s Sepp Wiegand lining up in third place in his Fabia S2000.

Craig Breen starts fourth in another Saintéloc Peugeot with Jean Marc Manzagol next. Defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Andreas Mikkelsen is sixth on the road in his ŠKODA UK Fabia with Bryan Bouffier (Delta Rally Peugeot) seventh and Pierre Campana eighth in a Munaretto 207.

ŠKODA Motorsport’s Jan Kopecký starts ninth with event leader Dani Sordo 10th on the road in his MINI John Cooper Works S2000. In total 37 crews are due to start today.

Today’s action is based in Bastia with two stages repeated three times located in the far north of the island. The rally is due to conclude with a third run over the Marinca-Cagnano stage live on Eurosport from 18:00hrs CET. The podium finish will take place in Bastia at 19:40hrs local time.