Mikkelsen inks IRC deal

Norwegian rising star Andreas Mikkelsen is set to tackle seven rounds in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge this season in a Ford Fiesta S2000 run by M-Sport team.

The 20 year old Norwegian and his co-driver Ola Floene will have their first taste of the new Fiesta in the Rally Sweden. Their first IRC event will be Rally d’Italia Sardegna in June.

"This is just fantastic," said Mikkelsen. "When I saw Mikko Hirvonen’s and M-Sport team’s debut with the new Fiesta S2000 in Monte Carlo, I’m sure we have the best package available. My goal is to fight for the S2000 category win in Rally Sweden, and podium finishes in all the IRC rounds."

Mikkelsen become the youngest driver ever to score points in WRC when he finished 5th in Rally Sweden in a Ford Focus WRC in 2008. Last year he became Norwegian champion in group N, and he also did some international rallies in different S2000 cars. He won the Spanish Costa Brava Rally in November last year. He was third in Rally Bohemia. He also competed in the Barum Rally.

"This will prove to be an exciting season for Andreas,” said M-Sport team manager Malcolm Wilson. “He has already demonstrated that he has the speed and ability to perform well and the Ford Fiesta S2000 has shown its potential by winning in Monte Carlo. Together they should be a good package and I will be watching Andreas’ performances with interest this season.”