From Ron Salter [ 10/11/2008 ].
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IRC News.
Francois Duval could be in line for an IRC drive with Skoda, it has emerged. Although everything from the Skoda side is still silent, it is widely expected that the marque will soon confirm a 2009 IRC campaign with two works supported cars. Jan Kopecky is a certainty for one, but Skoda will need two strong drivers if they want to be in contention for the manufacturers crown. Duval has revealed he would be interested in a drive with the Mlada Boleslav squad.
The Belgian, still recovering from his accident in Japan, has had time to reflect on his career. He tells the Belgian newspaper 'Derniere Heure': "Is it worth the sorrow, and to risk my life and that of a co-driver when I can't even afford good insurance? I do not want to drive anymore as a semi-pro, without being paid. If Skoda proposes an IRC programme as a professional, then maybe..."
Duval and Kopecky would make something of an asphalt dream-team for Skoda. The pair both drove for seperate privateer Skoda teams in the 2006 WRC, where Duval scored points on three events out of the five he finished, including a strong 6th, right behind Kopecky on the Rally de Catalunya.
Gilles Panizzi has also been linked to a Fabia S2000 drive, after testing the car in the Czech Republic last month whilst Skoda also showed an interest in fast Finn Juho Hanninen, whose talents would surely be wasted with another year in pWRC.
With Monte Carlo less than three months away, we should expect some news from Skoda about their 2009 plans soon.
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