Skoda's star speeds to snowy success

Skoda UK Motorsport driver Andreas Mikkelsen’s 2012 rally season has begun in fine style after he scored victory on the opening round of the Norwegian Rally Championship, the snowy Mountain Rally in Norway.

Co-driven by Ola Fløene, Skoda UK's IRC-winning
driver won the Gol-based event (located in the Hallingdal region of Norway, 118 miles/190kms north-west of the capital city of Oslo) in a privately-entered IRC title-winning Skoda Fabia S2000 (now owned by his manager, Erik Vieby). Securing his first victory of the year, the Norwegian finished 7.2 seconds ahead of Mads Østberg/Jonas Andersson (Ford Fiesta S2000).

Østberg, driving a more powerful RRC specification Fiesta, took the lead on the short opening stage, but Andreas - who was doing the event as a pre-season test - fought back and claimed victory after all six stages had been completed.

Andreas shared, “It’s very nice to start the new season off with a rally win, and I am very pleased. It’s a long time since I've driven on snow and ice and having been away for two years it was great to rally in Norway again. We had to drive fast to beat Mads and even though we were here to test, competing against such a good driver meant we really had to focus on our driving - so it was a very good test situation for us.”

Andreas and Ola will next contest Rally Finnskog (4 February) as a final test in preparation for Rally Sweden (9-12 February). The Skoda UK Motorsport star will be on loan to VWM and will compete in a Skoda Fabia S2000 alongside Sébastien Ogier.

Andreas’ main focus for 2012 is the defense of his IRC Drivers’ title with Skoda UK Motorsport, which begins on the Sata Rallye Azores (23-25 February).

Mountain Rally results (Top 10)
1. Andreas Mikkelsen/Ola Fløene (Skoda Fabia S2000)….44 mins 11.5 secs
2. Mads Østberg/Jonas Andersson (Ford Fiesta S2000)….+7.2 secs
3. Sveinung Bieltvedt/Roger Eilertsen (Subaru Impreza)….+2 mins 38.8 secs
4. Anders Grøndal/Trond Svendsen (Subaru Impreza WRC)….+2 mins 52.4 secs
5. Bernt Kollevold/Ove Johnny Andersen (Mitsubishi Lancer)....+3 mins 31.2 secs
6. Peder Økseter/Stig Rune Skjærmoen (Subaru Impreza)….+3 mins 37.3secs
7. Trond Sveinsvoll/Otto Øvestad (Subaru Impreza)….+ 4mins 24.4 secs
8. Geir Helge Frøslid/Ragnar Engen (Subaru Impreza)….+5 mins 42.7 secs
9. Petter Rolfsen/Anders Kjær (Ford Fiesta R2)….+6 mins 20.8 secs
10. Petter Kristiansen/Ole Kr. Brennunm (Skoda Fabia R2)….+6 mins 37.6 secs

Posted in: Motor Sports,Skoda