Wiegand to head SKODA Germany’s IRC bid

SKODA Auto Deutschland has launched an all-out attack on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2012 with a one-car entry for rising star Sepp Wiegand.

Although the 21-year-old’s exact schedule of events is unconfirmed it is understood he will take part on 10 rounds in a SKODA Fabia Super 2000, similar to the one used by Juho Hanninen and Andreas Mikkelsen to land IRC title glory in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Wiegand, who has yet to take part on a round of the IRC, is highly rated in his homeland after switching to rallying from sportscar racing last season. JUKA Motorsport will run Wiegand with the experienced Timo Gottschalk, a former Dakar Rally-winning navigator, co-driving.

SKODA Auto Deutschland tackled selected IRC events in 2011 with Matthias Kahle and Mark Wallenwein.