Skoda wants Successful Start to Continue in Australia

MELBOURNE – July 11, 2013: With two victories from two races in the bag, the factory supported ŠKODA MRF team goes into the Queensland Rally (12-14 July) as the hot favourites. ŠKODA pairings Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm (Finland) and Gaurav Gill/Glenn Macneall (India/New Zealand) want to continue their successful starts to the season at this third stop in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).

"Victory in New Caledonia enabled us to pick up some useful points in the APRC Championship and we will be arriving in Queensland full of confidence. However, it's going to be another tough battle," said Gill. The experienced pro from India sits atop of the Drivers' Championship after securing victory in the second race of the campaign. At the season opener in New Zealand, the 31-year-old took second place behind his ŠKODA team-mate Lappi. After being forced to retire in New Caledonia following an accident, the young Finn will be arriving in Australia with extra cause for motivation.

"We want to make up for what happened in New Caledonia and pick up from where we left off in New Zealand," said Lappi. "This rally will again be new ground for us, but we have a great car and a good team. We’re looking forward to the challenge." The rally will be taking place in the surroundings of the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane. The drivers will have to battle their way through 21 stages covering over 200 kilometres. This race has been good for the ŠKODA team in the past, with Chris Atkinson tasting victory in the Fabia S2000 last season.

Entering a team in the APRC represents an important step in the Czech car manufacturer's plans to expand within international markets. ŠKODA wants to increase its worldwide sales to at least 1.5 million units per year by 2018, with a particular focus centred on increasing its presence in the growing Asian markets.

"With the APRC being one of the most important motor racing events in the region, we now have an excellent opportunity to showcase the ŠKODA brand to a wide audience," said Dr Frank Welsch, ŠKODA's Board Member for Technical Development.