New engine boosts Scandola for Targa Florio

Umberto Scandola will start Targa Florio-Rally Internazionale Di Sicilia, round five of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, with the latest evolution Fabia Super 2000 engine in his ŠKODA Motorsport Italia entry.

Scandola, one of the frontrunners in the Italian championship and a former regular in the IRC, said: “The engine gives us better torque from low revs and is a lot more driveable. Because of this, the car is a lot easier to drive generally. We also have a good set-up that is particularly well suited to the stages, which should allow us to improve our speed through corners.”

The 27-year-old Italian, who prepared for the rally with a pre-event test near Corleone, added: “The Targa is undoubtedly a very specialised event, which needs the right approach because of its smooth asphalt that is often slippery. So it’s important to get the balance exactly right. The testing that we did was vital towards finding the correct set-up.”