Mikkelsen: season has turned a corner

Andreas Mikkelsen believes his run to second place on last month’s Sata Rallye Acores is proof that his Intercontinental Rally Challenge season has been transformed following a luckless start to his campaign with SKODA UK Motorsport.

The 22-year-old Norwegian had suffered a number of setbacks during the opening five events of the season but hit back with a sensational second place finish on the gravel event in his SKODA UK Fabia Super 2000.

“Yes we’ve had some disappointments but this sport is a lot of good things and a lot of bad things,” said Mikkelsen. “We’ve been very unlucky this year and hopefully our luck has now changed and it will continue like this.”

He added: “The result [in the Azores] brings me a lot of confidence. I have been quick on gravel and on Tarmac in Ukraine and also in Ypres on the second day. The next round, Barum Czech Rally Zlin, is Tarmac and I have done the rally two times before and it’s probably the Tarmac rally I know best. But these guys will be flat out so we will see what we can do. For sure if we’re pushing to the maximum maybe we can try to win but it will be difficult.”

After six rounds, Mikkelsen is seventh in the standings on 46 points. Barum Czech Rally Zlin takes place from 26-28 August.