Škoda wins IRC manufacturers’ award

Škoda has secured its first Intercontinental Rally Challenge manufacturers’ crown following its fifth maximum score of the 2010 campaign on Barum Czech Rally Zlín last weekend (27-29 August), ending Peugeot’s run of three-straight title triumphs in the process.

Victory for Freddy Loix (pictured following his victory in Zlín) and second place for Juho Hänninen on the all-asphalt rally was enough for Škoda to secure the prestigious accolade with three rounds of the current IRC season remaining. Škoda’s achievement will be officially recognised at the end-of-year awards ceremony in Cyprus on November 7.

The company’s motorsport boss, Michal Hrábanek, said: “To be the top make in the IRC was our main aim of the season. I would like to thank all the crews and would also like to thank all the spectators because the support we get is incredible.”

Based in Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, Škoda joined the IRC last season with its Fabia Super 2000 and took its first victory in the series on Rally Russia in July. Success continued with wins in Czech Republic, Spain and Scotland. So far this year, Škoda drivers Hänninen, Loix and Jan Kopecký have, between them, won six of the nine events.

The IRC resumes with Rallye Sanremo in Italy from September 23-25. The overall IRC drivers’ title plus the IRC 2WD Cup drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles are all still up for grabs.