IRC news before Rally Sibiu (Part 1)

Consani to build gravel experience in Romania

IRC 2WD Cup contender Robert Consani plans to continue learning the art of driving on gravel on this week’s Sibiu Rally.

Frenchman Consani, who will pilot a Renault Clio R3 on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier, has limited experience of driving on loose-surface events.

“I’m still learning how to drive on gravel and this rally will be an important part of that learning process," said Consani. "This rally is

“My target is to avoid making mistakes and having problems; if we can do that then my aim is to be on the podium in the IRC 2WD Cup, I would be happy with that. It’s going to be a tricky weekend for everyone.”

Minor satisfied with start to Aigner partnership

Ilka Minor says her partnership with Andreas Aigner has got off to a strong start ahead of their bid for IRC Production Cup glory on the Sibiu Rally in Romania this week.

Aigner recruited Minor to replace fellow Austrian Daniela Ertl who has been forced to stand down due to work commitments. They have completed a successful test in Austria together and last night finished reconnaissance for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge counter.

“The collaboration has worked perfectly from the start,” said Minor. “After our first joint test I am really looking forward to the upcoming rallies with Andi. I could set myself quite well and quickly to Andi’s style of pacenotes and think it will work great.”

IRC Production Cup leader Aigner, who competes in a Stohl Racing Subaru Impreza R4 STi, said the tough nature of the Sibiu Rally’s gravel stages were of particular concern.

“Being clever and having good luck are important to get the car to the finish,” said Aigner. “It will be a difficult struggle.”

Mikkelsen resorts to Dakar set-up for Sibiu debut

Defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Andreas Mikkelsen will run a Dakar-style set-up on his ŠKODA UK Motorsport Fabia Super 2000 to overcome the Sibiu Rally’s rock and boulder-strewn stages.

Mikkelsen’s Fabia has been raised as high as the suspension will allow on the back of data gained from his test in Romania on Monday and the two-day reconnaissance, which finished on Wednesday evening.

“This rally is not about pure speed, it’s about survival,” said Mikkelsen, who has highlighted the Crinți and Gâtu Berbecului stages as the roughest and toughest of the IRC qualifier. “There are so many big rocks in the road that we’ll be running the maximum ride height on the car – I doubt any ŠKODA Fabia S2000 has been as high as this car before.

“The two longest stages are the roughest and sometimes even on the straights we’ll have to back off because it’s so rough. I’ve done the Acropolis Rally and parts of this rally are much rougher than in Greece. We would be faster in some places with a proper off-road Dakar car, but we have done the necessary changes to the Fabia to adapt it the best we can to these type of roads and we’ll also carry a lot of spare parts in the car, just to make sure we can get to the finish without any problems.”

The 23-year-old Norwegian concluded: “For this rally the way to victory is driving smart and not pushing to the limits. This time we’ll bring the brain with us in the car and not leave it at service.”

IRC rising star Wiegand targets Sibiu Rally podium

Sepp Wiegand will start the Sibiu Rally in Romania tonight aiming for his maiden podium finish in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

The 21-year-old German has scored points on all six IRC rounds he has contested this season but a top three has so far eluded him.

“It’s going to be a difficult rally and I was surprised how rough and bumpy the stages are,” said the ŠKODA Auto Deutschland pilot. “There are big rocks and stones and it’s definitely the hardest event I’ve done so far. But it’s my wish to finish on the podium and that will be my aim.”

Wiegand took part in a test near Sibiu on Monday to prepare for this week’s 12-stage rally, highlights of which will be shown on Eurosport.