Loix tops all-time list of IRC event winners

Freddy Loix’s victory on Barum Czech Rally Zlin last month has moved him ahead of Kris Meeke to the top of the all-time list of Intercontinental Rally Challenge event winners.

Loix, who took first place in the Czech Republic at the wheel of a Skoda Motorsport Fabia Super 2000, has now won six IRC rallies, a new record for the series.

Hailing from Belgium but now living in the south of France, the 39-year-old Loix captured his first IRC success on his home event, the Ypres Rally, in 2008. He notched up further wins in Zlin and Valais that season before triumphing again in Ypres and Madeira this year.

He said: “I am very happy with this win, my third of the season and my sixth in the IRC. I would like to thank my sponsor BFO and Skoda Motorsport to give me the possibility to do three rallies no with this fantastic car. You’ll see me back in Sanremo.”

Other IRC event winners (selected):

Five wins: Kris Meeke (Brazil 2009, Azores 2009, Ypres 2009, Sanremo 2009, Brazil 2010)

Four wins: Giandomenico Basso (Madeira 2007, Asturias 2008, Sanremo 2008, Madeira 2009)

Four wins: Juho Hanninen (Russia 2008, Russia 2009, Argentina 2010, Sardinia 2010)

Four wins: Luca Rossetti (Ypres 2007, Sanremo 2007, Istanbul 2008, Portugal 2008)

Four wins: Nicolas Vouilloz (Turkey 2007, Zlin 2007, Valais 2007, Madeira 2008)

Three wins: Jan Kopecky (Zlin 2009, Asturias 2009, Canarias 2010)