IRC aces get ready for Czech thriller

Zlín’s round of the all-action Intercontinental Rally Challenge is set to be a thriller with some of the most successful drivers in recent IRC history set to take part on the demanding asphalt rally, which will enjoy live coverage on Eurosport.

Juho Hänninen, IRC champion in 2010, Jan Kopecký, runner-up in the IRC for the past three seasons, and current title holder Andreas Mikkelsen are all due to take part on the event from 31 August-2 September in a trio ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000s.

With a 49-point lead in his bid to become the first back-to-back IRC champion, Mikkelsen is planning to be less cautious in his ŠKODA UK Motorsport entry. “We head to [Zlín] with our shoulders a little bit down and we can maybe fight without thinking too much about the title – it would be really nice to attack more,” said the 23-year-old from Norway.