Loix to make Goodwood Festival of Speed debut

Belgian ace Freddy Loix will make his debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK next month (2-4 July). The 39-year-old, who is due to return to Intercontinental Rally Challenge duty on this week’s Geko Ypres Rally, will pilot a Skoda Fabia Super 2000 at the motorsport extravaganza, which regularly attracts in excess of 100,000 spectators.

Loix drives for Skoda’s Belgian importer in the country’s national rally championship and is also embarking on a selected programme of IRC rallies, starting with the Tarmac-based Ypres Rally, when he will drive a third Fabia for the factory Skoda Motorsport team.

At Goodwood, Loix will drive a Skoda UK Motorsport-run Fabia in place of Briton Guy Wilks, who is still recovering from the injuries he sustained during his crash on Rally d’Italia-Sardegna earlier this month. Although he won’t be able to drive, Wilks will be present at Goodwood to sign autographs and meet fans.

Numerous big names from several motorsport disciplines will be attending the Festival, which features an asphalt hill climb and a gravel rally stage, as well as static displays of competition cars.