Skoda Auto is to continue giving official support to entries in next season's FIA World Rally Championship with the Fabia WRC model again spearheading the programme. The decision ensures that the Skoda brand's involvement with the WRC remains unbroken and at the same time extends the motorsport presence of a famous brand that celebrated a century of competition in 2001.
Skoda Auto has selected two partners for the future WRC co-operation, one based in the Czech Republic and the other in Austria. The team from the Czech Republic will be based around Czech Champion Jan Kopecky. It will be a single-car private team and Jan will contest 10 European rounds of the 2006 championship using the current Fabia WRC 05 model.
The Red Bull Skoda Team will run two Skoda Fabia WRCs on 10 events under the new 'Manufacturer 2' category that allows private and officially supported teams to contest a reduced number of events instead of the full 16-round WRC programme. The Red Bull Skoda Team will be run by Austrian Raimund Baumschlager and his Baumschlager Rally & Racing (BRR) Team. Already confirmed as one of the drivers for the Red Bull Skoda Team is 21-year old Austrian Andreas Aigner. Andreas has been gaining WRC experience in recent seasons as part of the Red Bull Junior Team. A second driver with international experience will be confirmed shortly.
Skoda Motorsport will provide both teams with the same level of extensive support including the supply of Fabia WRCs and a package of parts for the programme. Technical support will also be available throughout the season and additional engineers will be provided on events. The support will also extend to national activities of Skoda Auto importers in various European markets.
The 2006 WRC starts with the Monte Carlo Rally (January 20-22).
Skoda Fabia is a registered trademark and Justfabiacars.com is not affiliated, sponsored by, authorized by, sanctioned by Skoda or the owner of this trademark.
Sign In | Sell My Car » 
