A record 12 ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000s will contest the GEKO Ypres Rally this week with the factory team adding local hero Freddy Loix to its official line-up.
The 40-year-old has run under the BFO ŠKODA Rally Team banner on six Intercontinental Rally Challenge events this season but will transfer to the main ŠKODA Motorsport attack on the asphalt event, which begins with the first of 18 special stages tomorrow afternoon (Friday).
“I am honoured to cooperate with ŠKODA Motorsport, an incredibly strong team,” said Belgian Loix. “I am not going to Ypres with the ambition of finishing second, but I have to be realistic, because the start list is more competitive than ever before, full of big names. We will have to drive really smartly, with a high degree of precision.”
Jan Kopecký, currently second in the IRC drivers’ standings, will partner Loix in the factory SKODA team. The Czech said: “We will do our best to improve our two second places – we are getting all the necessary support and we have a great car. If we have good luck, too, winning in Ypres may not be an unrealistic ambition.”