Mikkelsen: IRC is the right place to be

Andreas Mikkelsen has revealed he chose the Intercontinental Rally Challenge because he believes the tough competition he will encounter will make him a better driver.

The Norwegian will begin his seven-event IRC campaign in Sardinia in June at the wheel of an M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000.

He said: “When I did Barum Rally Zlín last year I was very impressed about the whole championship including the coverage that Eurosport gives and the amount of manufacturers competing. If you don’t want to be driving World Rally Cars then it’s the right place to be because the level of driving is very good and it can only make me a better driver by doing this championship."

“The competition I will get from people like Kris Meeke, Jan Kopecký and Juho Hänninen will be very tough because they are good drivers. But to be able to compare myself against them in the Super 2000 class will be very good for me.”