IRC news before Ypres Rally (Part 2)

Illness forces Wiegand to cancel Ypres debut

Sepp Wiegand has been forced to withdraw from this week’s Geko Ypres Rally, round six of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Wiegand, one of the rising stars of the IRC this season and a top 10 finisher on all five rounds run so far, had been due to take part in a ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 alongside co-driver Timo Gottschalk. However, he now won’t be in action due to illness.

A spokesperson for Wiegand’s team, ŠKODA Auto Deutschland, said: “Unfortunately we had to cancel because Sepp has an acute gastro intestinal disease.”

Wiegand, 21, is currently fourth in the IRC drivers’ standings.

Praise for co-driver Vanneste from Ypres legend Loix

Freddy Loix has praised the contribution made by his co-driver Lara Vanneste as he bids to make it eight victories on the Geko Ypres Rally, round six of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

The Belgian hero, known affectionately by fans around the world as Fast Freddy, has worked with a number of co-drivers on the Ypres Rally over the years. His partnership with Vanneste dates back to 2011 when he recruited her for a handful of test sessions.

“She knows my way of working very well and in the French championship we are doing some very difficult rallies with a lot of technical sections – I feel confident working with her,” said Loix, who will pilot a Peugeot 207 Super 2000 for the French 2C Competition squad.

The Ypres Rally will mark Loix’s first appearance in the IRC this season, a prospect he’s relishing: “I love driving in Ypres because the stages are very fast and technical at the same time. This year, I’m really looking to get back to a rally that’s always gone very well for me. It will make a change from the French championship, where on each rally I’m discovering new territory that my rivals know by heart.”

Al-Ketbi hoping the rain stays away in Ypres

Rashid Al-Ketbi says he’s hoping this year’s Geko Ypres Rally will be held in dry conditions following reports of possible rain during shakedown this evening.

Al-Ketbi is making his debut on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier in his Skydive Dubai ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000. He is never competed in damp conditions before.

“The recce was dry but now there is a chance it might rain,” said the Middle East driver. “That would not be good because I have not driven in the rain before.”

Regardless of the conditions, Al-Ketbi says it’s important to reach the finish in Ypres on Saturday night.

“I drive carefully to learn the rally and to be at the finish,” he said.

Mikkelsen confident following strong pre-event test

Defending Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Andreas Mikkelsen will start the Geko Ypres Rally in Belgium tomorrow boosted by a successful pre-event test.

The ŠKODA UK Motorsport ace joined co-driver Ola Fløene during the session near the town of Popperinge on Monday. They completed approximately 100 kilometres.

“Our pre-event test went very well,” said the Norwegian, who turns 23 tomorrow (Friday). “I have a good feeling for Tarmac, so the test was just more or less to get the set-up 100 per cent right for this rally. In the Fabia S2000 we have a very good car that has won Ypres for the last couple of years, so we know we have the equipment to fight at the top. Straightaway the car felt very good, we made some small improvements, so I’m sure we can do well this weekend.”

Rain falls on Ypres shakedown stage

Shakedown for the Geko Ypres Rally, round six of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, will take place in wet conditions following heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Shakedown for the Geko Ypres Rally, round six of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, will take place in wet conditions following heavy rain and thunderstorms.

The five-kilometre course around the village of Nieuwkerke is coated in water after the sudden deluge.

Despite the conditions, crews are completing the final preparations for the practice course, which goes live at 19:00hrs local time.

Huge numbers of spectators are descending on the course.