Strong entry for IRC’s Corsica debut

More than 50 crews will contest round three of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, Tour de Corse-E.Leclerc.

Bryan Bouffier, in a Peugeot France 207 Super 2000 (pictured), tops the entry list ahead of Škoda BFO Rally Team pilot Freddy Loix and Peugeot UK’s Guy Wilks.

Jan Kopecký is the sole Škoda Motorsport driver on the list and is one of 19 S2000 competitors set to contest the famous asphalt rally that also include Corsican Pierre Campana and French driver Julien Maurin in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000.

As expected, Kopecký’s team-mate Juho Hänninen will not be taking part. The Finn is the reigning IRC champion and heads the IRC standings after two rounds but is only tackling selected IRC events in 2011.

In addition to the massed ranks for S2000 runners, Toshi Arai will compete in an R4-specification Subaru Impreza, while defending champion Harry Hunt is one of 31 drivers contesting the IRC 2WD Cup.

The IRC Production Cup is also strongly supported with Florian Gonon heading several Ralliart Mitsubishi Lancer runners in his N4 Impreza.

The event takes place from 12-14 May.