No pressure for Loix and Miclotte in Madeira

Freddy Loix’s co-driver Frédéric Miclotte says the Belgian duo won’t be feeling any pressure when they make their second of four planned appearances in this season’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge in Madeira this week.

Miclotte, who partnered Loix to victory on June’s Geko Ypres Rally, believes the fact they are not in contention for the IRC crown means they can focus solely on winning the island event rather than worrying about their title chances.

He said: “We don’t have to think about the championship – we just go flat out for the victory. I have been there three times, Freddy many times also. We were together [in Madeira] last year and although it’s a very difficult rally I think a win is possible.”

Loix and Miclotte had been due to drive a René Georges Rally Sport-run Škoda Fabia in Madeira but logistical complications mean they will continue with the Czech factory team.

“It was not possible to go with René so we will be with the Škoda team again,” said Miclotte. “It’s good because we will have the wide track car again and that will be better on the Tarmac. But because the deal [with Škoda] was made quite late we will have no testing and that’s disappointing.”