Skoda UK Motorsport driver Guy Wilks says viewers of Eurosport will be in for a treat when RACMSA Rally of Scotland takes place next week (15-17 October).
Eurosport, Europe’s largest television sports channel, will show four stages of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge event live.
Wilks, who won the inaugural Rally of Scotland last year, said: "The scenery is second to none, so spectacular, which means we’ll be using some of the best stages in the world. Eurosport do a brilliant covering the IRC and their live coverage is out of this world. Definitely one of the best places to be if it’s not in a rally car is at home watching on Eurosport."
Eurosport’s live coverage schedule is as follows:
Saturday 16 October
11:00hrs-12:00hrs CET (Eurosport): LIVE Errochty 1
17:30hrs-18;30hrs CET (Eurosport and Eurosport Asia-Pacific): LIVE Errochty 2
Sunday 17 October
11:00hrs-12:00hrs CET (Eurosport): LIVE Loch Ard 1
13:45hrs-15:00hrs CET (Eurosport): LIVE Loch Ard 2
All times are CET.
Guy Wilks won the spectacular Rally of Scotland in 2009
Scotland bosses support Colin McRae Vision
RACMSA Rally of Scotland organisers have joined forces with Colin McRae Vision to raise funds for the charity, which was established in memory of the Scottish hero and rallying legend.
Several prizes will be on offer for members of the public to win by estimating the distance the Skoda Yetis, which are being provided to the event by Skoda UK, the Official Vehicle Supplier of Rally of Scotland.
Rally of Scotland clerk of the course Iain Campbell said: "Colin McRae Vision is the official charity of the IRC and as the Scottish round of the series we had to do something. We see this as a bit of fun with some cracking prizes for people to have a go at winning but to also know that they are supporting some worthwhile causes through their passion for rallying."
To enter visit www.justgiving.com/rallyofscotlandcomp. A minimum donation is required, which will go straight to Colin McRae Vision.
Sardinia return for IRC ace Meeke
Kris Meeke will return to the island of Sardinia, venue of round five of the IRC earlier this season, when he contests Rally Costa Smeralda this week (7-9 October).
Meeke, the 2009 IRC champion, will be taking part on the Italian championship event to support Paolo Andreucci’s domestic title bid. Andreucci won the IRC-counting Rallye Sanremo last month and leads the Italian series as a result.
By tackling the gravel event, Meeke, who will drive a Peugeot 207 S2000 similar to the one he uses in the IRC, will be able to practice driving on loose surfaces ahead of RACMSA Rally of Scotland, which takes place the following weekend.
"We’re going there to help Paolo and Peugeot, pure and simple, but it will be good to get back in the car on gravel so close to Scotland," said the 31-year-old.
Meeke’s last appearance in Sardinia for the IRC-counting Rally d’Italia-Sardegna, ended in disappointment when he suffered a dramatic crash, which was captured live on Eurosport.
Hirvonen keen on more Monte magic
Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen is targeting a return to Rallye Monte-Carlo next year, having won the opening round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge this season on the debut of M-Sport’s Ford Fiesta S2000.
So far, no deal has been agreed for Hirvonen to contest the event but both he and tyre firm Pirelli, which supported his bid back in January, are keen to take part.
"I’ve not heard of any plans for me to compete so far, but if the chance came along I would definitely take it," said Hirvonen. "Monte Carlo was one of the most satisfying of my wins this year, because it was a brand new car and everyone had worked so hard to get us there. It’s a great event and if you win Monte Carlo, it’s something really special."
Rallye Monte-Carlo will celebrate its centenary next season when it runs from 19-22 January, 2010.
Mikko Hirvonen is keen on a Rallye Monte-Carlo return
Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally regulations available
The sporting regulations as well as the individual entry forms for the first edition of the Golden Stage Rally are now available at the event’s website, www.goldenstagerally.com. The Love Cyprus Golden Stage Rally carries a prize fund for 150,000 Euros and requires competitors to tackle two passes of a single mixed-surface 25-kilometre stage close to the event base in Limassol on Sunday 7 November.