Skoda Motorsport and Peugeot-Belux set to miss Rally of Scotland

day%202%20331 Skoda Motorsport and Peugeot Belux set to miss Rally of Scotland

Skoda Motorsport and Peugeot Belgium-Luxemburg are unlikely to contest this November's Rally of Scotland, the IRC's final round of the 2009 season.

Commenting to Motorsport News after Rallye Sanremo, Skoda Motorsport team manager Pavel Hortek said: "I think we will prepare for next season. The next appearance will be the Rally Bohemia in the middle of October."

Hortek added that Skoda Motorsport had no plans to switch to the new S2000 WRC Cup and that the team will remain in the IRC next season.

Peugeot Belgium-Luxembourg managing director, Stephane le Geuvel, has told the Belgian media that the Kronos Racing team would not be going to Scotland as well: "This year, circumstances have not played into our drivers hands. Last year Feddy and Nicolas had a perfect year but things did not go their way this year - that's racing!

"Regarding the manufacturers title, we can say 'mission accomplished'. Peugeot achieved a third consecutive manufacturers crown and our crews had much to do with that. While regretting we cannot provide Freddy and Nico with one more opportunity to compete in the IRC this year, we thank them for their hard work and passion," he elaborated.

Meanwhile, Rally Scotland clerk of the course Iain Campbell commented regarding entries for the event: "I’m not going to jump the gun but obviously Kris Meeke is keen to make this event his celebration on claiming the IRC title in Sanremo and entries are expected from other leading IRC contenders still battling for a strong season finish. Alister McRae’s first outing on home soil in far too long at the wheel of the new Proton S2000 should be very special. Honda has indicated that three cars will be taking part in the 2WD Cup, Ralliart driver Franz Wittmann has already announced his participation and Tyre giant Hankook are wanting to capitalise on their first year in Scotland as the championship sponsor. In addition to these, there are entries from Hungary and France.

"After winning the recent Perthshire-based Colin McRae Stages, former WRC driver Mark Higgins stated that he would be back in Perth for Rally of Scotland. The Top three Group N winners in the Hankook MSA Scottish Rally Championship all have entries, as do three of the major British one-make series.

"On top of all these, there is the biggest prize of all - the BFGoodrich Drivers’ Team entry, and who wins that drive we won’t know until early next month," added Campbell.

The inaugural RACMSA Rally of Scotland takes place on 19 - 21 November 2009.

Source: rallye-info.com

Photo: Ricardo Nasciment (www.rallyazores.blogspot.com)