Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) News

Debut IRC joy for Dani Sordo and Mini in Corsica 

Dani Sordo has claimed victory on Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse, round four of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, following a faultless performance in a MINI John Cooper Works S2000 on his debut in the all-action series.

IRC newcomer Sordo on top after day of drama in Corsica 

Dani Sordo will start the final six stages of Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse on Saturday firmly in contention for a debut victory in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge following a day of high drama on the demanding asphalt roads around Corte in the centre of the picturesque Mediterranean island.

Mikkelsen heads close battle for Corsica IRC glory 

Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion Andreas Mikkelsen leads Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse following the opening three stages around Ajaccio this afternoon. However, with 2.8s covering the leading drivers, Mikkelsen has a big fight on his hands in his bid to win his first IRC event on asphalt and extend his title advantage.

Legendary Targa Florio replaces Mecsek Rallye on IRC schedule for 2012 

The world famous Targa Florio-Rally Internazionale Di Sicilia will form another exciting addition to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge for 2012 following its confirmation as round five of the all-action series from 14-16 June.
 
With its origins in the high-speed road race conquered by legends such as Sir Stirling Moss and Sandro Munari, Targa Florio-Rally Internazionale Di Sicilia is based on the Mediterranean island of Sicily and uses all-asphalt stages over a competitive distance of 170 kilometres.
 
The event replaces the Canon Mece

Giru Du Corsica - Tour De Corse Preview 

The all-action Intercontinental Rally Challenge returns to Corsica next week for the 55th running of Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse, an event steeped in tradition and testing in the extreme.
 
Back on the IRC schedule following its spectacular inaugural appearance in 2011, the rally will be televised live on Eurosport when it takes place from 9-12 May on demanding stages around the picturesque Mediterranean island.
 
Four stages of the famous rally will be broadcast on Eurosport as they happen, with both runs of Erbajolo-Pont d’Altiani on F

In The Spotlight: M-Sport 

M-Sport, Ford’s respected rallying partner, made an instant impact on the IRC in 2010 when Mikko Hirvonen took the company’s Fiesta S2000 to a debut victory on Rallye Monte-Carlo. Run by former driver Malcolm Wilson from a state-of-the-art factory in Cumbria, north-west England, M-Sport has been the mastermind behind Ford’s World Rally Championship campaign since 1997, and worked in tandem with the Blue Oval to develop the Fiesta S2000, which is used by several privateer drivers in the IRC.

IRC Champion Mikkelsen Reveals Secret Weapon 

Andreas Mikkelsen believes he has a secret weapon in his bid to win Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse , experience of the stages around Bastia on the third day of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier.
 
Mikkelsen, who has yet to win a round of the IRC on asphalt, tackled the Ronde De La Giraglia, a national event in Corsica, last year.

McCormack Gets Late Call For IRC Return 

Marty McCormack will contest Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse after being called up to replace the injured Patrik Flodin.
 
Flodin was due to compete in a Petter Solberg Engineering M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 but has been forced to withdraw to undergo surgery on a collarbone injury.
 
McCormack, who won the IRC 2WD Cup section of the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally last month, will deputise for the Swede on what will be his first competitive outing in a Super 2000 car and his first time competing in Corsica.
 

Ace Makinen Will Help Me Learn, Says Nikara  

Jarkko Nikara plans to make the most of his team boss Tommi Mäkinen’s knowledge of the island roads when he begins his 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge campaign on Giru di Corscia-Tour de Corse from 9-12 May.
 
Nikara will drive an R4-specification Subaru Impreza for the four-time world rally champion’s eponymous team. “For sure I will bet getting some tips from Tommi,” said Nikara.

Bouffier Targets Corsica Glory on IRC Comeback 

Bryan Bouffier is targeting victory on Giru di Corsica-Tour de Corse, which will signal his return to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge after he missed the last two rounds.
 
Bouffier, sixth in last year’s IRC standings, doesn’t have the funding for a full IRC programme in 2012 but has secured an entry in Corsica in a Peugeot 207 Super 2000 run by Delta Rally and co-driven by Xavier Panseri.
 
“I hope to be in the lead of the rally, that is my target,” said Bouffier, who finished third on the opening IRC round in Açores in February.