Gilles Panizzi has been testing the Skoda Fabia S2000 as Jan Kopecky had another successful run on the Sanremo Rally

Gilles Panizzi is the latest world rally star to sample the Skoda Fabia Super 2000 as he was testing the machine for Skoda Motorsport today. Pannizi follows the likes of Carlos Sainz, Raimund Baumschlager and Sebastien Lindholm in completing development work on the new Fabia.

It isn't clear if this test was just to assist with development or is perhaps something more long term which might see Panizzi drive one next year in the IRC starting with Monte Carlo. Panizzi is no stranger to Skoda as drove for the Red Bull team in a Skoda Fabia WRC in the World Rally Championship.

There is also still speculation that Raimund Baumschlager will run a Red Bull Skoda team next year with his BRR concern though nothing has been officially stated. It still isn't clear wether Skoda Motorsport will run cars or instead let CRT-Kopecky and BRR run them officially.

Also, Juha Hanninen's name has been mentioned again to possibly drive one of the cars on next year's IRC. A possible debut for the car could be the Jänner Rally in January 09 with Baumschlager and Aigner rumoured to be driving.

Panizzi testing the Fabia today:

Images: Petr Sagner ewrc.cz

Meanwhile, Jan Kopecky had another successful run as course car in the Fabia S2000 on the recent Sanremo Rally where he set some fastest times (unofficially) again, despite retiring on the first day with a minor mechanical problem though he was able to restart on the second day.

Some brief clips of Kopecky at Sanremo:

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• Gilles Panizzi has been testing the Skoda Fabia S2000 on asphalt again, this time in the Alps Maritimes
• Gilles Panizzi, Juho Hanninen and Jan Kopecky will form a three car Skoda team for IRC Rallye Monte Carlo 2009
• Skoda Fabia S2000 has been confirmed to run as zero car on the Sanremo Rally 2008