tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9822047481240569572024-02-07T06:59:16.260+02:00Andreas Mikkelsen FansiteAndreas Mikkelsen - IRC Champion 2011Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-60005357067090377732013-09-18T17:19:00.002+03:002013-09-18T17:19:29.117+03:00Rally Australia: Aussie ups and downs for Mikkelsen <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Volkswagen junior driver Andreas Mikkelsen has expressed his
satisfaction after finishing sixth on Rally Australia and has given
stand-in co-driver, Paul Nagle top marks following their first event
together.<br /><br />Mikkelsen led initially in Oz following Thursday
night's short super specials, and while he dropped back on the Friday
and had two scares on both runs through Newry, he remained in the
top-seven throughout.<br /><br />The Norwegian may have taken fifth too, had
he not been instructed to take it easy on the final day and not get
involved in a scrap with Mads Ostberg, who was 2.6secs adrift at the end
of Saturday's tests.<br /><br />“Rally Australia had its ups and downs for me,” Mikkelsen said after round ten in the 2013 <a class="embedLink" href="http://www.crash.net/wrc">World Rally</a> Championship.<br /><br />“On
Thursday, I had a chance to savour the feeling of leading in a World
Championship rally for the first time. Friday got off to a great start,
but little mistakes cost us a lot of time.<br /><br />“I had to pay for them again on Saturday as one of the first <a class="embedLink" href="http://www.crash.net/wrc">World Rally</a>
Cars on the track. And Sunday? I did all I could to get the car over
the line and help the team in the Manufacturer's Championship. That
meant going into 'cruise mode' and not going on the attack. I'm sure it
would have been more fun if we'd done things differently.”<br /><br />“All in all, we're really pleased with sixth place though,” added the two-time Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion.<br /><br />“It
was a good debut at the Rally Australia for us, and it was great
working with my co-driver Paul Nagle, who stepped in for my usual
partner Mikko Markkula at short notice. Paul and I had a good weekend.
[Overall] it's been a fantastic and a big learning curve.”</div>
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Source: <a href="http://www.crash.net/world+rally/news/195854/1/aussie_ups_and_downs_for_mikkelsen.html" target="_blank"><b>Crash. net</b></a> </div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-58696298144253079582013-09-13T00:13:00.000+03:002013-09-13T00:13:00.499+03:00After SS2: Mikkelsen leads after Thursday’s stages<div style="text-align: justify;">
<strong>Stage description:</strong></div>
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<em>This new stage is based in the heart of Coffs Harbour, across the
road from the service park. It features two cars at a time, with a
simultaneous start on opposite sides of a former velodrome oval before
breaking out on to surrounding streets, and the finish back in the oval.
The surface is a combination of asphalt and gravel.</em></div>
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<strong>How the action unfolded: </strong></div>
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Volkswagen’s Andreas Mikkelsen holds a slender overnight lead of
Rally Australia after the opening two stages on Thursday evening. </div>
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The Norwegian was fastest on the first pass of the Super Special in
downtown Coffs Harbour - run as SS1 - and second on the second (SS2) to
hold a 0.9sec advantage over Citroen DS3 driver Kris Meeke. Mikkelsen’s
Volkswagen team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala is third, 0.5sec behind Meeke. </div>
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It is the first time that Mikkelsen has led a WRC rally, but it was a
close call after he clipped a barrier with the left-hand front corner
of his Polo R on the second loop. </div>
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<em>“The stage was okay but I think the organisers sprayed water on
the road after the first pass and suddenly it was super slippery,”</em> he explained. <em>“I think we’re okay, no damage.”</em></div>
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The water, sprayed on the dry earth sections to keep the dust clouds
down, made conditions unexpectedly slippery for many of the WRC crews.<em> “Some corners are like ice,”</em> reported Meeke. <em>“We put on a good show but took absolutely no risks.” </em></div>
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Cheered on by grandstands full of spectators, crews tackled the tight
and twisty mixed surface test in pairs with headlights blazing.
Drivers’ championship leader Sebastien Ogier ended the day fourth, and
looking forward to Friday, when the action switches to the twisty gravel
roads south of Coffs Harbour. </div>
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<em>“I just tried to keep out of trouble here, but it was tricky
because we decided to start with the hard [compound] tyres. Not the best
in the slippery stuff - we didn’t expect more water on the stage.
Tomorrow is the real start of the rally,”</em> he said. </div>
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Mikko Hirvonen is fifth, with Thierry Neuville sixth and Mads Ostberg - who complained of bad understeer – seventh. </div>
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Coffs Harbour resident Nathan Quinn ended the day 10th on his debut
in a Mini JCW World Rally Car, and managed to beat Khalid Al Qassimi on
his second pass through the stage. <em>“I’m learning a lot pretty quickly, now I can’t wait to get out on the wide roads tomorrow,”</em> he said. </div>
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<strong>WRC 2 </strong></div>
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Ford Fiesta R5 driver Yuriy Protasov heads the WRC 2 standings,
0.5sec ahead of Yazeed Al Rajhi in a Fiesta RRC. Hayden Paddon is third
but left for the overnight parc ferme concerned at the low battery
voltage of his Skoda Fabia S2000. </div>
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Ford Fiesta R5 driver Subhan Aksa started the stage six minutes late
after emergency work to cure an engine problem overran. The Indonesian
lost power on the first pass through Thursday’s shakedown and M-Sport
technicians stripped and rebuilt the engine this afternoon after it was
found to be leaking oil and water. </div>
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Rally Australia resumes on Friday morning, with the first of eight
stages, the 8.44km Tuckers Nob, getting underway at 1003hrs local time. </div>
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Source:<a href="http://www.wrc.com/news/after-ss2-mikkelsen-leads-after-thursdays-stages/?fid=19042" target="_blank"><b> WRC</b></a></div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-40516230356538235062013-08-29T17:36:00.001+03:002013-08-29T17:36:46.802+03:00Paul Nagle to co-drive for Mikkelsen in Australia<div style="text-align: justify;">
Volkswagen has revealed that Ireland's Paul Nagle will co-drive for works team driver Andreas Mikkelsen at Rally Australia. </div>
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Nagle will stand in for Mikkelsen’s usual co-driver, Mikko Markkula, who is recuperating after injuring two vertebrae at Rally Finland. </div>
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Mikkelsen had to withdraw from last week’s Rally Germany at the last minute, as Markkula’s injury was too severe to allow him to start. </div>
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Nagle and Mikkelsen have known each other since they went head to head at the Rally Ireland in 2007. Back then, Nagle was co-driver to Britain’s Kris Meeke. </div>
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“We are pleased to have found such a competent replacement so soon after Mikko’s withdrawal,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. </div>
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“Paul has a wealth of rallying experience and, with his professional approach, will definitely meet our expectations. We wish Mikko a speedy recovery. He can now take his time and concentrate fully on ensuring he gets back to full fitness. As soon as he has recovered from his injury, he will take his place next to Andreas again.” </div>
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“It is obviously a great shame that Mikko will also be missing for the Rally Australia. However, the good news is that we have found a good replacement,” added Mikkelsen. </div>
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“For me, it was important to find a co-driver, with whom I can communicate in English in the cockpit. Mikko and I changed the style of our pace notes ahead of this season, and both switched from our native language to English. It is an advantage for me not to have to change language again.” </div>
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Coates Hire Rally Australia is the tenth round of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship and starts from Coffs Harbour on 12 September. </div>
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Source:<a href="http://www.wrc.com/news/nagle-to-co-drive-for-mikkelsen-in-australia/?fid=19012" target="_blank"><b> WRC .com</b></a></div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-10712116604182703162013-08-22T16:40:00.003+03:002013-08-22T16:40:52.093+03:00Andreas Mikkelsen pulls out of Germany<div style="text-align: justify;">
Andreas Mikkelsen has withdrawn from ADAC Rallye Deutschland due to an injury to co-driver Mikko Markkula. </div>
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Markkula (pictured left) has fractured his seventh vertebrae and partially fractured his eighth vertebrae. The injuries happened during Rally Finland earlier this month and Volkswagen Motorsport made the decision to withdraw the duo this morning. </div>
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Markkula complained of back problems in Finland, but the pain eased following the event. However, the pain returned during Monday’s opening day of recce and the Finn underwent an MRI scan which revealed the extent of the injuries. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFiDCFCMgu9DHPA8NF4RkCU4vjvU8FUtrqpSq1i7aoqs84_Z6IvtF6chATrtDvDZLWJTu5oA8Lrgu5X3IQEM5O9G9d8n16aA4SRWNmHjikE6fyOk4CkOlY4wMyL_ZmgdLzC3aMbLjpZjO/s1600/36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFiDCFCMgu9DHPA8NF4RkCU4vjvU8FUtrqpSq1i7aoqs84_Z6IvtF6chATrtDvDZLWJTu5oA8Lrgu5X3IQEM5O9G9d8n16aA4SRWNmHjikE6fyOk4CkOlY4wMyL_ZmgdLzC3aMbLjpZjO/s400/36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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“I suffered severe back pains on the Sunday of Rally Finland,” explained Markkula. “We assumed it was muscular tension. The pain eased off after the rally, just as the doctors had said it would. </div>
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“However, it has returned over the past few days and on Tuesday evening I went for a more accurate MRI scan and it was then that we determined I had fractured the two vertebrae. </div>
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“Nobody had considered that possibility, and it was obviously a shock because it meant we would have to withdraw from the rally at the last minute. We are really disappointed. I also feel sorry for the team, for whom we wanted to get a good result at our home rally,” he added. </div>
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Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito said it was too near the start to consider a replacement co-driver for Mikkelsen. </div>
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“It would have been too risky to send Andreas out with a co-driver, alongside whom he has not driven a single metre prior to the rally and who did not take part in the recce. Andreas has changed his style of pace notes this season, and Mikko is the only co-driver familiar with them,” he explained. </div>
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“Safety comes first, particularly when it comes to Mikko’s health. The fractured vertebrae were not easy to diagnose, which is why we took our time to ensure that we made the right decision,” added Capito.</div>
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Source:<a href="http://www.wrc.com/news/mikkelsen-pulls-out-of-germany/?fid=18920" target="_blank"><b> WRC .com</b></a></div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-83342823023305866572013-08-18T16:43:00.001+03:002013-08-18T16:45:03.132+03:00 Rallye Deutschland: Germany the most challenging asphalt rally - Mikkelsen <div style="text-align: justify;">
Norwegian rally star Andreas Mikkelsen reckons Rallye Deutschland is 'the most challenging asphalt rally' there is.
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The Volkswagen Motorsport junior driver fought his way back to claim the final point in Finland last time out, his fifth points finish with the Polo R WRC from just six starts.</div><br/>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Germany, however, will be a very different test this coming week, and while this will be the 24-year-old's fourth run on the Trier-based event – having contested it in 2007, 2008 and 2012, finishing seventh there twelve months ago - he is by no means complacent about the challenge ahead.</div><br/>
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“For me, Rallye Deutschland is the most challenging asphalt rally,” he confirmed. “It is the first real asphalt rally of the year, and consists of many different types of asphalt.”</div> <br/>
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“There are three different kinds of special stage. On the one hand you have the military special stages, with quite aggressive concrete. Then there are the vineyards with their narrow, gravelly roads. And then you also have the roads with perfectly flat asphalt,” he explained.</div><br/>
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“Prior to the rally, though, we had a test on asphalt, at which our car was excellent. I am now really looking forward to the event,” he continued.</div><br/>
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Mikkelsen knows the team will be under added pressure however, given it is the squad's first run at home.
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“It is particularly important for Volkswagen to achieve a good result at its home rally. Everyone involved will be especially focussed.
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“It will be a very special event, for both the team and the drivers,” he concluded.</div><br/>
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Source: <a href="http://www.crash.net/wrc/news/194540/1/mikkelsen_germany_the_most_challenging_asphalt_rally.html?fb_action_ids=10201655670373530&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map={%2210201655670373530%22%3A403140773118980}&action_type_map={%2210201655670373530%22%3A%22og.likes%22}&action_ref_map=[]" target="_blank"><b>Crash. Net</b></a></div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-7082170151145245902013-08-15T18:25:00.004+03:002013-08-15T18:28:59.587+03:00Rally-fit with Andreas Mikkelsen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoyLdu2liXcdshNQw_RNwwv4AIlv5Z0iCSfCL0BUHtPDt8zEx8Hgn5LLv7PM7TrrE5-7yOlncBU6v3Th24PDl0ntgG-D35iauZ6T1ei3iSrF7hbPD6F9cTbRBJItg9aIDmUWhxrwXyEqr/s1600/Andreas+Mikkelsen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoyLdu2liXcdshNQw_RNwwv4AIlv5Z0iCSfCL0BUHtPDt8zEx8Hgn5LLv7PM7TrrE5-7yOlncBU6v3Th24PDl0ntgG-D35iauZ6T1ei3iSrF7hbPD6F9cTbRBJItg9aIDmUWhxrwXyEqr/s320/Andreas+Mikkelsen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sports-wise, there appears to be little that Polo-R-WRC driver Andreas Mikkelsen hasn't tried. Except for synchronized swimming or dressage. Although come to think of it, we're not 100 per cent certain that he hasn’t tried those either.<br />
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"Mountain biking, bike racing, cross-country skiing, slope skiing, swimming, weight training, football, boxing," responded Mikkelsen when we asked him what sports he likes playing. Sorry, we almost forgot the marathon he just ran. Mikkelsen also loves motocross and has ridden since he was twelve years old. But he had to give up riding on two wheels for his rally career as the risk of injury is just too high.</div><br/>
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It's already well known that motorsport racers have to be extremely fit athletes. Andreas Mikkelsen is no different: he loves speed, working out is very much a part of his life and - how practical - his personal coach is one of his best friends. Mikkelsen plays sport every day, often up to three times a day.</div><br/>
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And what about nutrition? Burgers, pizzas, Black Forest cake? Of course! But only after the rally. Before the rally, the motto is: tasty AND healthy. To spare Andreas the onerous task of calorie counting, Volkswagen's motorsport team works closely with doctors and nutrition experts. The drivers and co-drivers are even given muesli individually tailored to their needs.</div>
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"I'm probably the fittest driver in the WRC," says Mikkelsen proudly. We don’t doubt it - and the photos prove it. The Rally-the-World team had something of a bad conscience after talking to the impressively athletic Mikkelsen and immediately headed off for a work out.</div><br/>
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Source:<a href="https://www.rallytheworld.com/en/rally-fit-with-andreas-mikkelsen/content" target="_blank"><b> Rally The World</b></a></div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-76049289479081742042013-04-10T18:30:00.003+03:002013-04-10T18:30:55.807+03:00WRC Portugal 2013: Mikkelsen ready to 'step up'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21wlEdvCfjonIpVrJ7gca8p5QVwaFpnSH4eY9Lk_C5vJd901HCL6m2YTXlmAGydyAavBxXH5qmf2WA8W99h_9nAYZa4t5DaebUK6njn9OqZcVtAxHHoUX6Ve8lwdf0YQYOuqxUj95c0iu/s1600/886x350px_vw-20130406-4290-max-VW-WRC13-04-RB1-0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21wlEdvCfjonIpVrJ7gca8p5QVwaFpnSH4eY9Lk_C5vJd901HCL6m2YTXlmAGydyAavBxXH5qmf2WA8W99h_9nAYZa4t5DaebUK6njn9OqZcVtAxHHoUX6Ve8lwdf0YQYOuqxUj95c0iu/s640/886x350px_vw-20130406-4290-max-VW-WRC13-04-RB1-0107.jpg" width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Andreas Mikkelsen believes he is ready for the WRC ahead of his debut
with the Volkswagen Motorsport II team on this weekend's Rally of
Portugal.<br />
<br />
Despite it being his first rally with the Polo R WRC,
the young Norwegian feels he is ready to 'step up' to the challenges of
the WRC after having spent two years in the International Rally
Championship with a Skoda Fabia<br />
<br />
“After two successful years in the IRC, I feel ready to take the step up into the <a class="embedLink" href="http://www.crash.net/wrc">World Rally</a> Championship,” he said.<br />
<br />
“It
will be my first rally with the Polo R WRC, although I did have a
number of outings with Volkswagen last year [in an S2000 Skoda] and have
already been completely integrated in the team.<br />
<br />
“As such, the only thing that is really new to me is the element of competing in a current <a class="embedLink" href="http://www.crash.net/wrc">World Rally</a> Car.”<br />
<br />
Despite
having assimilated himself well with VW last year, the Norwegian
conceded that the Portuguese stages will not give him the easiest debut
and is just seeking a mistake free event despite having driven the recce
last year and having competed back in 2007.<br />
<br />
“In my opinion, the
Rally Portugal is one of the most difficult on the race calendar [as]
there are a lot of 'blind' passages and relatively little grip,” he
said.<br />
<br />
“The last time I drove there was back in 2007, so it will
practically be a new event for me. I was lucky enough to be able to take
part in the Recce last year. As such, I have some idea of what to
expect. <br />
<br />
"Despite this, it will certainly be one of the most
difficult rallies of the year for me. It will be important not to make
any mistakes and to avoid any incidents.”<br />
<br />
The Volkswagen
Motorsport II team was created following Mikkelsen's success in the IRC
and will see him and co-driver Mikko Markkula contest the ten remaining
rounds on the WRC calendar. <br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.crash.net/world+rally/news/189649/1/wrc_portugal_2013_mikkelsen_ready_to_step_up.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss" target="_blank"><b>By George East - Crash .net</b></a></i></div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-30541696706343399112013-04-03T16:21:00.000+03:002013-04-03T16:21:03.088+03:00MIKKELSEN: A STORM APPROACHING FROM THE NORTH<div style="text-align: justify;">
A new addition to the Volkswagen team: from the Rally Portugal
onward, Andreas Mikkelsen and Mikko Markkula will take part in the World
Rally Championship in a third Polo R WRC. After two years in a Skoda
Fabia in the Super 2000 category, where the cars have 30 hp less, the
youngest driver ever to win world championship points (at the Rally
Sweden in 2008) will now make his big debut. So how do you feel,
Andreas? "Fantastic. I think any driver would be happy to drive for
Volkswagen in the 2013 rally season"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOxgk1vQXKWWuuUcOwoDuNtNwH9SpTnS7ne7RzlFGprFrRIPUln_7pO0cVMXKZ2B3Fz0qvsWXdIJCTsD8Tvwr_EjYwiKuW4WBvo7KJ3aKeSiNenfNUEm3pfFGBVnD8lJ-8pccnV5J6OlF/s1600/Mikkelsen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOxgk1vQXKWWuuUcOwoDuNtNwH9SpTnS7ne7RzlFGprFrRIPUln_7pO0cVMXKZ2B3Fz0qvsWXdIJCTsD8Tvwr_EjYwiKuW4WBvo7KJ3aKeSiNenfNUEm3pfFGBVnD8lJ-8pccnV5J6OlF/s400/Mikkelsen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The past few months have
required the high-speed personality Andreas Mikkelsen to be rather
patient: the 23-year-old has had to follow the action as a spectator,
including the impressive first place achieved by the Polo R WRC in its
first special stage at the Rally Monte Carlo in January and Sébastien
Ogier's victories in Sweden in February and in Mexico at the start of
March. But he was behind the wheel in spirit: "I'm an adrenaline junkie
and love everything to do with high speeds", explained the Norwegian in
the Rally The World interview. "When I tested the Polo R for the first
time, my only thought was: Wooooow is that fast! When can I start?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, he does have one regret: he would have loved to have shown off
his skills at the Rally Sweden. "I grew up in the snow and was a skier
in the national youth team. I learnt to drive on frozen lakes in Norway
when I was 16 – and in a proper World Rally Car. I then had to learn how
to use a normal stick shift when I had proper driving lessons because I
was so used to flappy paddles."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's clear Andreas will now
give it his all and try to get to the top spot. To guarantee the WRC
returnee enough test days and space in the service park, a new team was
set up: Volkswagen Motorsport II. "Working with Volkswagen is really
exciting," says Mikkelsen, "after all, this is where rally legends such
as Carlos Sainz or the Golf GTI 16V meet today's heroes: the Polo R WRC
and world-class drivers such as Ogier/Ingrassia and Latvala/Anttila."
Why he forgot to include himself in that list is something he's sure to
rectify after the Rally Portugal has taken place (11-14 April).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: <a href="https://www.rallytheworld.com/andreas-mikkelsen-in-the-polo-r-wrc/content" target="_blank"><b>Rally The World</b></a> </div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-5407996738136752992013-03-20T21:41:00.002+02:002013-03-20T21:41:34.592+02:00 WRC » Ogier, Mikkelsen to contest Fafe Rally Sprint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuLkXOSY6iHLRouOGiIU4JI5c1DL8vF8499gWmajbHsu1NRTuUmLlBANd9VJy5xg_oMdLjNIrEvaWRRHrKZ7zGjqCgKlb2m7h3sCdCfKpcnBhgWSDSgMwWWm7CE_rpn87DQlarhZ9WBQy/s1600/47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuLkXOSY6iHLRouOGiIU4JI5c1DL8vF8499gWmajbHsu1NRTuUmLlBANd9VJy5xg_oMdLjNIrEvaWRRHrKZ7zGjqCgKlb2m7h3sCdCfKpcnBhgWSDSgMwWWm7CE_rpn87DQlarhZ9WBQy/s400/47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Volkswagen's Sebastien Ogier and Andreas Mikkelsen will take part in the Fafe Rally Sprint on Saturday April 6, it has been confirmed.<br /><br />The event serves as a warm-up for Rally de Portugal and will give both drivers' extra time in the Volkswagen Polo R WRC ahead of the fourth round in the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship, which runs from April 11-14.<br /><br />More than 100,000 spectators are expected at the show event in northern Portugal and just like it did in 2012 it will herald the start of the rally week.<br /><br />“We are really looking forward to lining up in Fafe for the first time,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Jost Capito. “Sebastien and [co-driver] Julien [Ingrassia] will be in close contact with thousands of Portuguese fans at the 'Rally Sprint', and will be out to put on a good show for them.<br /><br />“The event also offers Andreas and [his co-driver] Mikko [Markkula] the opportunity to test the Polo R WRC under competitive conditions for the first time, and to familiarise themselves with the atmosphere before they make their WRC debut in the Polo R WRC the following week.”<br /><br />The Fafe Rally Sprint uses a 6.34-kilometre section of the iconic Lameirinha stage that is no longer officially part of the Rally de Portugal following its move south to its base in the Algarve in 2005. Drivers and teams will battle their way through two qualifying rounds on the way to the final, with the fastest time in the final deciding the overall winner.<br /><br />Meanwhile another extremely popular feature of the event is the competition to see who can remain airborne for the longest over one of the most challenging jumps in rallying. The record, which was set by Armin Schwarz in a Skoda Octavia WRC in 2000, currently stands at 73.5 metres.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: <a href="http://www.crash.net/world+rally/news/189053/1/ogier_mikkelsen_to_contest_fafe_rally_sprint.html" target="_blank"><b>Crash</b> .<b>net</b></a></div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-33576354162500052612013-02-16T13:39:00.000+02:002013-02-16T13:39:28.495+02:00Andreas Mikkelsen’s perfect Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBi1J9dtdRXLu3SPyrrhbmSsNzGmYFLRKB2e0fFqSZQiAGXC5lZ5MwyhELTvfJ968224qLbNz5CmQ03BSMGeWFUnvpVfXd0SSahsZTmjiRtx7Kd8ZyKlhxM_KYZqexxMqrWhhyphenhyphenL28ltfP-/s1600/9f9f8701e2eac8ebcf7b4643f67485d1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBi1J9dtdRXLu3SPyrrhbmSsNzGmYFLRKB2e0fFqSZQiAGXC5lZ5MwyhELTvfJ968224qLbNz5CmQ03BSMGeWFUnvpVfXd0SSahsZTmjiRtx7Kd8ZyKlhxM_KYZqexxMqrWhhyphenhyphenL28ltfP-/s400/9f9f8701e2eac8ebcf7b4643f67485d1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="intro" style="text-align: justify;">
As part of regular feature on MAXRALLY, we speak to
various drivers from the rallying fraternity to find out what their
perfect day would involve. This week we spoke to double IRC champion
Andreas Mikkelsen who informed MAXRALLY he’s a secret animal lover who
loves to cook…</div>
<div class="intro" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“My perfect day would have to start off at my home in Oslo. I’d sleep
until I wake up – that means no alarm clock! My girlfriend would make me
breakfast in bed - preferably eggs, bacon, fresh-made bread, fruit and
some homemade orange juice.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“The weather outside would be a perfect summer day - around 20 degrees
Celsius, which is warm for Norway. I’d start the day with some training -
running or some cycling with my trainer, Roy. After working hard for a
couple of hours, I would have a well-deserved lunch. I’d probably
choose my favourite salad from BIT restaurant, which is close to where I
live.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“After that I would take a boat ride with my friends or cousins. I’d
probably have a swim, eat some fresh shrimps on white bread and be
sipping my favourite drink: Red Bull silver edition.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“In the late afternoon, I’d visit my mother and her new dog. It’s
really cute! In the evening, I would make a nice dinner for my
girlfriend because I like to cook, I’d make some healthy food in a wok.
We’d then watch a funny movie on TV before heading off to bed.”</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: <a href="http://www.maxrally.com/2013/02/16/mikkelsens-perfect-saturday" target="_blank"><b>maxrally</b></a> </div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-1856635155766314712013-02-04T21:09:00.001+02:002013-02-04T21:10:17.230+02:00Andreas completes pre-season test rallies with 2nd on Rally Finnskog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9skjs1wkN6MAamY-KMC1hVoGn4dkQeWANNokPDBirJrHauDJUIjXW9GgLTOjhDeeKfOKIpxaW3P1i3h3IeCPO1igBzbAIlzcns-N5Ouf9G84A3RP4IpdLtBMAc7ubU5EAF-c37y5bUqk/s1600/andreas_mikkelsen_rally_finnskog.2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9skjs1wkN6MAamY-KMC1hVoGn4dkQeWANNokPDBirJrHauDJUIjXW9GgLTOjhDeeKfOKIpxaW3P1i3h3IeCPO1igBzbAIlzcns-N5Ouf9G84A3RP4IpdLtBMAc7ubU5EAF-c37y5bUqk/s400/andreas_mikkelsen_rally_finnskog.2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="padding-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Andreas
Mikkelsen finished 2nd on Rally Finnskog (2 February) in a ŠKODA Fabia
S2000, completing the icy eight stage event just 10.3 seconds behind
Mads Østberg’s World Rally Car.<br />
</div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
The result gives the
Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion and former ŠKODA UK Motorsport
driver the lead in the Norwegian Rally Championship, but more
importantly it completes a highly successful two-rally pre-season test
programme in which Andreas and new co-driver Mikko Markkula were able to
fine-tune their pace note system under competitive conditions.<br />
</div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
The 63.2 mile (101.72km)
Rally Finnskog was held on snow and ice-covered forest roads near
Kongsvinger in Norway. There were four different special stages, each
tackled twice.<br />
</div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
Østberg led initially,
before a fuel pump problem on SS3 gave a hard-charging Andreas the lead.
Despite the normally-aspirated Fabia S2000 being less powerful that
Østberg’s turbocharged Fiesta WRC, Andreas held onto the lead until the
penultimate stage.<br />
</div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
Just 1.1 seconds separated
the dueling duo as they entered the final stage, and despite it being a
treacherously slippery 14.7 miles (23.67kms) long, Andreas was only 9.2
seconds slower than Østberg at the flying finish.<br />
</div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
Coming two weeks after
finishing 2nd on the Arctic Rally in Finland, the performance on Rally
Finnskog concluded what had been perfect pre-season preparation, as the
thoughts of Andreas and Mikko now turn to their next rally together –
their debut for Volkswagen Motorsport on Rally Portugal (11-14 April).<br />
</div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
Andreas: “Rally Finnskog
was another really good event for Mikko and I to establish our pace note
system even more and the fight we had with Mads Østberg in his World
Rally Car showed that we can be very fast in a car together. Mikko and I
have done some testing together, but it’s a lot better to do some
proper rallies and I’d like to thank EVEN management for letting us
drive its ŠKODA Fabia S2000 and contest the Arctic and Finnskog events.
It has been two very valuable rallies for us, before the serious
business starts in Portugal.”<br />
</div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
It was also a good day for
Andreas’ former co-driver, Ola Fløene. He won the opening round of the
Swedish Rally Championship, Vinterpokalen 2013, navigating for Pontus
Tidemand (another EVEN management driver).<br />
</div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
And congratulations to Ole
Christian Veiby, the 18-year old son of EVEN boss Erik, who recorded
some top 20 stage times to finish Rally Finnskog in style and make it a
triple celebration for the Norwegian team!</div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
Source:<a href="http://www.skodaukmotorsport.com/Skoda_UK_Motorsport7/News/Entries/2013/2/4_Andreas_completes_pre-season_test_rallies_with_2nd_on_Rally_Finnskog.html" target="_blank"><b> Skoda UK Motorsport</b></a></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-68650443522863767342013-02-02T15:11:00.001+02:002013-02-02T15:11:02.919+02:00Andreas Mikkelsen will race Rally Finnskog 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPLz_YcIOnP-SXVQJqiZIozT8khUgvUJD6u3u4PA1mlMVgu-8HTc19YXc-hyVgdNJJ6ZSM6Kc3UYLu5j_qcIBhEywb-93myMMsmN9luvX8Gte6dtrabssJxwMh7m3BrE2em8-R-5w2QKZ/s1600/Mikkelsen_rally_Finnskog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPLz_YcIOnP-SXVQJqiZIozT8khUgvUJD6u3u4PA1mlMVgu-8HTc19YXc-hyVgdNJJ6ZSM6Kc3UYLu5j_qcIBhEywb-93myMMsmN9luvX8Gte6dtrabssJxwMh7m3BrE2em8-R-5w2QKZ/s400/Mikkelsen_rally_Finnskog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Andreas Mikkelsen will race once again the Rally Finnskog in your home country - Norway. Last year Andreas Mikkelsen finished the rally in a solid 5th the event driving a Skoda Fabia S2000. The winner of the event was the finnish Mikko Hirvonen driving a Citroen DS3 as a warm-up for the upcoming WRC Rally Sweden of that season.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://mikkelsengallery.blogspot.fi/2012/02/andreas-mikkelsen-rally-finnskog-2012.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">>>><b>Photogallery of Andreas Mikkelsen on the Rally Finnskog 2012</b><b><<<</b></span></a><br /><br />"Ready for a legendary Norwegian rally tomorrow, in our 2011 IRC Champion Skoda S2000 at Rally Finnskog - see you there?", said Andreas Mikkelsen in his Official Facebook Page.</div>
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Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-85264176724179492092013-02-02T14:38:00.000+02:002013-02-02T14:41:46.607+02:00Mikkelsen warms up with Arctic adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfEGGxKxcoaJuH74c5VTLRH4MXaiAUKa5qk5Jxpp55lc6iWoxNxrHcP2-CNBZp-_8X_QY2l080bsp7k-1Yr6CpUAA5e3L_kkyHGEpidCu1rOegu3yYI8u1eqRjWwIoH8aS6-VRwJKu5IQ/s1600/andreas.mikkelsen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfEGGxKxcoaJuH74c5VTLRH4MXaiAUKa5qk5Jxpp55lc6iWoxNxrHcP2-CNBZp-_8X_QY2l080bsp7k-1Yr6CpUAA5e3L_kkyHGEpidCu1rOegu3yYI8u1eqRjWwIoH8aS6-VRwJKu5IQ/s400/andreas.mikkelsen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Andreas Mikkelsen marked a brief return to Skoda with a crowd-pleasing
second place finish on last weekend's Lapland Arctic Rally in Finland.<br />
<br />
Driving
the same Fabia S2000 that took him to victory on the 2011 Cyprus Rally,
Mikkelsen entered the event as part of preparations for his 2013 WRC
programme with Volkswagen Motorsport.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
With the thermometer
little more than -24c for most of the two-day Rovaniemi-based event, the
Norwegian and co-driver Mikko Markkula faced a tough battle against a
host of local drivers who started the winter classic with considerably
more experience of the stages.</div>
<br />
With the event regulations
favouring Group N cars, many of which enjoyed a 100bhp advantage over
Mikkelsen's PrintSport-run S2000-specification Fabia, the double-IRC
champion had to drive at his very best to stay ahead of the pack.<br />
<br />
Fastest
times on four of the opening day's five stages gave him a slim lead at
the end of the first leg. However, his advantage was short-lived when
his Fabia S2000 picked up a puncture on the opening stage of the second
leg, and the resulting loss of four minutes taken up in changing the
tyre dropped the Norwegian down to eighth.<br />
<br />
With nothing to lose,
Mikkelsen threw everything into the four remaining stages, clawing back
time and giving the crowds plenty to cheer. At final service, leader
Juha Salo was forced to change a gearbox, picking up time penalties that
set up a thrilling final two stages. Despite pushing to the maximum on
the fast, snow-covered stages, however, it proved a challenge too far
for the young Norwegian, who was unable to overturn the time deficit.
After ten action-packed stages, Salo took victory by just 1min 37secs. <br />
<br />
“This
has been a great rally and being back in the Skoda feels like coming
home,” Mikkelsen grinned, “We had to fight hard the last two days - some
of the stages are crazy fast - but we have had great fun!”<br />
<br />
The
Norwegian continues his 2013 WRC preparations with another Fabia S2000
outing on the Finnskog Rally in Norway this weekend (2 February), ahead
of his debut in the VW Polo R WRC in Portugal later in the year. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: <a href="http://crash.net/"><b>Crash.Net</b></a><br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xmxArhO2_Zc" width="560"></iframe>Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-84489951248853197002013-01-25T22:03:00.001+02:002013-01-25T22:03:39.488+02:00Andreas’ sub-zero warm-up with ŠKODA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJNaugCPUW_3zPQgR_2o7K8I6PJplnL9_mXzJBHR_hyVoggqyjLK5WC8ZVmio6r6UJj7k-B4djjekq5p9cdw2QCOW6zNpnpLTOoL9hlkoh-bwUYxZ8oirDJtrk_p8lJKdTTcKvBHkOk1U/s1600/MIKKELSEN_29%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJNaugCPUW_3zPQgR_2o7K8I6PJplnL9_mXzJBHR_hyVoggqyjLK5WC8ZVmio6r6UJj7k-B4djjekq5p9cdw2QCOW6zNpnpLTOoL9hlkoh-bwUYxZ8oirDJtrk_p8lJKdTTcKvBHkOk1U/s400/MIKKELSEN_29%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="padding-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
There are hotter
places in the world right now if you wanted a pre-season warm-up – but
nowhere would be more fun than in Lapland if you’re a rally driver like
Andreas Mikkelsen.<br /> <br>
</div>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
It will be a boiling 26°C
in Sydney Australia this weekend, a roasting 28°C in Cape Town and a
scorching 33°C Rio de Janeiro. Yet at this weekend’s Arctic Lapland
Rally in Rovaniemi, it’s going to be an eyeball freezing -21°C!</div> <br>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
But Andreas loves driving
in the snow and wouldn’t swap a weekend in the sun in return for two
days of sideways fun in a ŠKODA Fabia S2000.</div> <br>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
So, while Andreas waits to
make his debut for Volkswagen Motorsport debut in April, the double
Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion and former ŠKODA UK Motorsport
doyen is travelling to the Arctic Circle to blow the Christmas cobwebs
away on the opening round of the Finnish Rally Championship.</div> <br>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
Co-driven by Mikko
Markkula, Andreas will be at the wheel of a Fabia S2000 run by the
experienced Printsport team – a squad based in Lievestuore, a town just
15 miles (25kms) from Jyväskylä (host town of Rally Finland).</div> <br>
<div class="paragraph_style_3" style="text-align: justify;">
This year’s Arctic Lapland
Rally takes place over two days (Friday 25 and Saturday 26 January). Leg
1 has five special stages totalling 61.8 miles (99.47kms), while Leg 2
also has five stages, but with a slightly longer 89.38 miles (143.85kms)
of competition.</div> <br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The event has been won by
no fewer than five former World Rally Champions, namely Marcus Grönholm,
Tommi Mäkinen, Hannu Mikkola, Timo Salonen and Ari Vatanen, and has
been contested by two Formula 1 World Champions – Kimi Räikkönen and
Mika Häkkinen.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Source:<a href="http://www.skodaukmotorsport.com/Skoda_UK_Motorsport7/News/Entries/2013/1/25_Andreas_sub-zero_warm-up_with_SKODA.html" target="_blank"><b> Skoda UK Motorsport</b></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Arli Racegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11810594227077517259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-83181504653300636612013-01-11T16:21:00.001+02:002013-01-11T16:21:26.504+02:00Andreas Mikkelsen - future champion<div class="text" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Andreas Mikkelsen is signed by VW
Motorsport and happy with the outlook the next seasons, according to the
Norwegian. We had a talk to him prior to VW's presentation of the team
and VW Polo R WRC's livery for 2013, on Saturday 8th of December in
Monte Carlo (where else?). He had a thing or two to reveal. First: his
career until now.</span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbgIh06O7-fpL5I8PRdW7YRU1Iyej4SM6moOl3NJZV5Iuykjm4uGtewAmvU59cMFHar7SHf2kprc7Xl1jJfnfQYKlzolm6JGv5QWXuekOPkmssVHKQ5_RUmUGqls0VmogTIFO9FkP0tRZ/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbgIh06O7-fpL5I8PRdW7YRU1Iyej4SM6moOl3NJZV5Iuykjm4uGtewAmvU59cMFHar7SHf2kprc7Xl1jJfnfQYKlzolm6JGv5QWXuekOPkmssVHKQ5_RUmUGqls0VmogTIFO9FkP0tRZ/s320/15.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>As a multitalented boy, with talents both
in alpine skiing and motocross, his career in rallying started just
after he got his British license at the age of 17, winning Quinton
Stages Rally on his debut in a Ford Focus RS WRC '02. The first season
brought him no less than 4 more victories. He also started Wales Rally
GB, but retired on the last leg. 2008 was important, as he contested 8
rallies in WRC. He finished 6 of them and placing as high as 9-10-10 in
Ireland, Portugal and Norway, respectively. He is probably remembered by
most fans for this in Rally GB 2008 though:</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>In 2008, he became the youngest point
scorer in the history of WRC. Andreas finished Rally Sweden in fifth
place at the age of 18, handling a Ford Focus RS WRC '06. Entering 6
other events in WRC that year, brought another top ten with 8th place in
Spain. At the end of 2008, there were no more funding and he had to
start from scratch, in a Subaru Impreza STi cup car.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Andreas confides:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I really matured starting from scratch in 2009. Taking it step by step and fighting my way back, only made me stronger.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>From there, the rest is history. Winning
the Golden Stage in Cyprus, before being picked up by Skoda UK ahead of
2011 and celebrating the overall win in IRC the last 2 seasons. At the
same time, VW discovered him and brought him in for most of 2012,
showing how much they believe in him. On par with or beating Sebastien
Ogier on many occasions this year and earning a third car in 2013 from
Rally Portugal, in VW Motorsport's return to the highest level with VW
Polo R WRC. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span>With a lot of high's and low's, we asked what it has been like the last seasons:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>The cooperation with Skoda the last
two seasons has been just fantastic! The two titles won with the team is
my best memories so far in my career. They took me under their wings
two years ago and it has really been an experience for me, working with a
manufacturer such as Skoda. When I'm moving on to VW Motorsport, I feel
confident the cooperation will be good again. Looking back at this
season, we have been driving a lot, both in IRC and WRC. It has worked
out really well, winning the IRC and gathering a lot of experience in
WRC. So, in 2013 I will be back in WRC and I promise I will make the
most out of the opportunity given to me by VW!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span>And we understand you have split
up with Ola Floene, a long-lasting relationship since your debut in
2006, care to elaborate the change of co-driver to Mikko Markkula?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>The change of co-driver developed through
the talks we had with VW. In 2013, I don't need to go for the top
results. I just have to show progression throughout the year and prove I
have what it takes to fight for victories in a few years. When VW wants
me to peak in 3-4 years, we all agreed the best was to find a younger
co-driver, who can sit with me for the rest of my career. That was how
we came up with Mikko.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">We brought up the fact that Norway is now one of the
nations with the best prospects in rally, and wondered if he had seen
someone up and coming in the domestic department:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>We have of course the likes of Steve
Rokland and Frank Tore Larsen, they have risen as obvious talents. The
challenge is the economy and the resources available, which always has
been a great obstacle in the sport. There are lots of drivers who has
got what it takes, but will unfortunately be stopped along the way to
reaching their targets because of shortage of money. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Andreas also stated he will most probably
appear on rallies on home turf next year, and told us that he would
drive some events ahead of his debut in the Polo WRC, but it was too
early to tell what car he would drive. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span>When it comes to inspirations and idols, he replied when asked: </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>I've had a few role models and idols, both
in rally and on personal level. I've received a lot of help from Marcus
Gronholm, Henning and Petter Solberg. And what Sebastien Loeb has done
with the sport of rally the last decade, I admire him a lot for.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span>We then asked humbly if he could
rank the best drivers in 2013 (and this was before Petter Solberg
announced his retirement from WRC)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Ogier - Latvala - Hirvonen - Solberg - Sordo</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>To be on the same level as these guys, I need more experience in WRC. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span>And to close the interview, we
drew something hypothetically for him: Any car and we mean ANY CAR,
which would you chose to modify within the WRC regulations, with regards
to roll cage and engine enhancements etc?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>A small Smart-model! Tune engine to 300hp and changing the suspension and fitting roll cage, that would be really fun!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>So who dares taking Andreas' fantasy literally and build this little pocket-rocket?</span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; text-decoration: none;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Source: <a href="http://www.world-of-rally.com/products/andreas-mikkelsen-future-champion/" target="_blank"><b>World-of-rally</b></a></span></div>
</div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-34355855200013670722012-12-21T14:35:00.003+02:002012-12-21T14:35:43.469+02:00#WRC - Andreas Mikkelsen takes note<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfKUs4FXwQ1U7yvEZ6z_9W3Le_lt1H7ScKoggJo3AjmWF1pasznty5fS_7-IQtCW7ullH10r61s0A5uoUxY_hMM-_2Hn-Kaxkr78LFgKhyphenhyphencbT1HehgiIO_fmawqEw0_gDkTpJ8oIh64nD/s1600/121221_Mikkelsen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfKUs4FXwQ1U7yvEZ6z_9W3Le_lt1H7ScKoggJo3AjmWF1pasznty5fS_7-IQtCW7ullH10r61s0A5uoUxY_hMM-_2Hn-Kaxkr78LFgKhyphenhyphencbT1HehgiIO_fmawqEw0_gDkTpJ8oIh64nD/s400/121221_Mikkelsen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's not just a new car that Andreas Mikkelsen will have to get used to in 2013. Volkswagen Motorsport's new recruit will also be working with a new co-driver next season, which will mean a change to how he prepares his pace notes. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mikkelsen’s seven seasons in rallying to date were spent with fellow Norwegian Ola Floene. However, with Finn Mikko Markkula (pictured right with Mikkelsen) taking Floene’s place, Mikkeslen is changing his pace notes slightly. Previously they were in a combination of Norwegian and English; now they will be exclusively in English, a language both Mikkelsen and Markkula are fluent in. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“The system stays the same but we replace the Norwegian numbers with English ones. The new cooperation doesn’t worry me at all,” Mikkelsen explained. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mikkelsen and Markkula have never competed in competition together although they have done a handful of tests in the same car. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“It’s actually not such a big change for either of us,” said Markkula. “We’re both looking forward to this new partnership, but it would be nice if we had the chance to compete on a rally together soon. That was the plan for Spain, but unfortunately I was ill then but I’m completely fine now.” </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: <a href="http://www.wrc.com/news/mikkelsen-takes-note/?fid=18126" target="_blank"><b>wrc. com</b></a></div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-65687233173019380632012-12-14T16:43:00.000+02:002012-12-14T16:43:09.206+02:00Andreas Mikkelsen Collects IRC trophy – and special award – in Paris<div class="entry-content" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="intro" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaSZRx865-TVM_RmX2LGMS5ANbhJdgiEc1EbbfiBwj1hmf3ZyiRlNN_ZIxtz3Evw_EnWZsEC4SegqY0To5TXp7BKVLQERx6iSmxLDG_SN4NdC6THjlBBHy3EXSl9Fk1c8-FBp_7hRRiIf/s1600/Andreas-and-Ola-at-the-IRC-Awards-Ceremony-638x425.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaSZRx865-TVM_RmX2LGMS5ANbhJdgiEc1EbbfiBwj1hmf3ZyiRlNN_ZIxtz3Evw_EnWZsEC4SegqY0To5TXp7BKVLQERx6iSmxLDG_SN4NdC6THjlBBHy3EXSl9Fk1c8-FBp_7hRRiIf/s400/Andreas-and-Ola-at-the-IRC-Awards-Ceremony-638x425.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
Andreas Mikkelsen collected his second
Intercontinental Rally Challenge drivers’ title-winning trophy in two
years at a glamorous end of season awards ceremony in Paris – and was
honoured with the additional award of the Colin McRae IRC Flat Out
Trophy Driver of the Year.<br />
<br>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="more-3394"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ola Fløene also donned the famous luminous green ŠKODA tie to collect
his second successive co-drivers’ title, having guided to Andreas to
all his IRC successes – despite his constant battle in the service area
with the team’s disobedient coffee machine.</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“For sure I’m feeling fantastic,” said Andreas.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“I’ve just completed two fantastic years in the IRC with ŠKODA. It
was a big opportunity coming with them in 2011 and I felt like I’d won
the series when I got that drive. We’ve been very successful and won two
championships. These years with ŠKODA UK have meant everything to me
and if it wasn’t for them I’d still be driving in the Subaru Cup in
Norway.</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Two years ago I did not believe these two titles would be possible,
especially after crashing on my first event in Monte-Carlo. When I look
back at them they were the best two best years of my life so it’s a
really nice feeling at the moment.”</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: <a href="http://www.andreasmikkelsen.no/blog/collects-irc-trophy-and-special-award-in-paris/" target="_blank"><b>Andreas Mikkelsen Official Website</b></a> </div>
</div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-42823136960878649132012-12-13T19:14:00.000+02:002012-12-13T19:14:08.161+02:00Andreas Mikkelsen's 10 steps to stardom<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQko-H1dzqHYh8c92sswrWbLKWIE6NIVbK51v3QuC0z9thyphenhyphen_YXumQcHAK-52AwVQoHf3zwriljXCGKU3A1DX1K3sdNYY58Z3XNOkFCKVFkpzmys_uc8d522qHMsgpTEON_0lcpOQw4bLf/s1600/121213_Mikkelsen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQko-H1dzqHYh8c92sswrWbLKWIE6NIVbK51v3QuC0z9thyphenhyphen_YXumQcHAK-52AwVQoHf3zwriljXCGKU3A1DX1K3sdNYY58Z3XNOkFCKVFkpzmys_uc8d522qHMsgpTEON_0lcpOQw4bLf/s400/121213_Mikkelsen.jpg" width="400" /></a>
<b>Andreas Mikkelsen was unveiled as part of Volkswagen Motorsport's factory line-up in the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship under a long-term deal during the team's launch in Monaco last Saturday.
</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ranked as a future title winner, here are
10 steps the young Norwegian might be keen to take during his first year
with the squad, as WRC.com explains.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Embrace the feel good factor</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“It’s
a fantastic feeling,” Mikkelsen says of his chance with Volkswagen.
“We’ve been doing a lot of events for the team [with the Skoda Fabia
Super 2000] but it’s nice to be properly inside the team with the Polo
project.”</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Build experience</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With Mikkelsen’s first
event not scheduled until Vodafone Rally de Portugal in April, a handful
of practice events are being planned: “We will do the recce [for the
first three rounds] and we will find some national events to get ready.”</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Be prepared</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“For
sure it’s going to be very different to drive the Polo World Rally Car
[compared to the Skoda Fabia Super 2000],” he concedes. “The top speed
is bigger, the entrance speed to the corners is higher, there’s more
downforce so for sure it won’t be easy. We will probably not be 100 per
cent comfortable during the first few rallies but we can improve during
the season and develop our speed.”</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Adapt quickly</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With
Mikkelsen’s new co-driver Mikko Markkula a Finn, the old mix of
Norwegian and English pace notes is out in favour of English-only
instructions. “The system stays the same but we replace the Norwegian
numbers with English ones. The new cooperation doesn’t worry me at all,”
says Mikkelsen.</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Utilise experience</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Being part of a
factory line-up isn’t new for Mikkelsen with the Norwegian just about to
complete a two-year stint with Skoda UK Motorsport. “When I was private
if I wrecked a car it didn’t matter more or less. With a manufacturer,
people are relying on you and you can’t think about yourself all of the
time.”</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Look forward</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“There are many rallies I am
looking forward to,” says Mikkelsen. “For sure I have some favourite
ones. Finland I have done some times now and Spain can be a good event
for us. And I was very fast in Argentina last year even though it was
our first time there.”</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Time is on your side</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The
23-year-old is on a long-term contract with Volkswagen, a fact he’s
quick to recognise. “Being in a third car means we are not under the
limelight and that takes the pressure a little bit away. We can try to
develop in very calm conditions, that’s the correct way.”</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Respect your elders</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mikkelsen
is the youngest member of the three-strong Volkswagen line-up. He plans
to play a supporting role to Jari-Matti Latvala and Sebastien Ogier: “I
really want to help those guys next year. It’s a learning year for me
and this is normal. But for sure as the years progress I want to deliver
proper results and show my speed.”</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Do your country proud</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With
Petter Solberg sitting out the 2013 season, it’s down to Mikkelsen and
fellow countryman Mads Ostberg to uphold Norwegian honour in the WRC
next year. “It’s really sad about Petter but Mads has had a fantastic
year and for sure he will lead the Ford drivers next year and do a
fantastic job. We will take our time but hopefully we will deliver
strong results.”</div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Don’t get complacent</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mikkelsen is
part of the EVEN Rally management company, which also has rising star
Esapekka Lappi on its books. “He has the same opportunities I had, he’s a
fantastic driver and his potential is very big,” says Mikkelsen.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>
Source: <a href="http://www.wrc.com/news/andreas-mikkelsens-10-steps-to-stardom/?fid=18090" target="_blank"><b>WRC .com</b></a> </div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-53627208015284785042012-12-10T18:05:00.001+02:002012-12-10T18:11:13.641+02:00Fast and under 30: meet Volkswagen's WRC attack<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMNmL6CeUAafNfhYcAkqdhmDBxsm5wOfsT-staO3493YfBMk3Vbt3yfDNM_JZ5EQ1_5L8djNwAVpDKbVbFEHpgfvbx5spHCV2oRAdGLWzdC6yh6rPnRKq5rdLZ9_Lp_kOEHZ72WLsO5GZ/s1600/news_121208_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMNmL6CeUAafNfhYcAkqdhmDBxsm5wOfsT-staO3493YfBMk3Vbt3yfDNM_JZ5EQ1_5L8djNwAVpDKbVbFEHpgfvbx5spHCV2oRAdGLWzdC6yh6rPnRKq5rdLZ9_Lp_kOEHZ72WLsO5GZ/s400/news_121208_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mikkelsen, Latvala and Ogier VW drivers for 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Volkswagen’s drivers for the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship are
all under 30. Ogier is the oldest at 28 with Latvala 27 and Mikkelsen
the youngest at 23.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But what the trio might lack in age, they
certainly don’t lack when it comes to experience. Latvala has contested
117 WRC events, Ogier 58 and Mikkelsen 30.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They’ve also achieved
plenty of success along the way with Latvala and Ogier winning seven
events apiece and all three claiming fastest stage times with Latvala’s
tally standing at an impressive 264 heading into the new campaign.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ogier,
who will be co-driven by fellow Frenchman Julien Ingrassia in 2013,
said: “After over a year and a half of preparations, I can hardly wait
to pull up to the start of the Monte with the Polo R WRC and see where
we stand compared to the opposition.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finn Latvala, who continues
with long-term navigator Miikka Anttila next season said: “For me,
Volkswagen is the best option as I strive to close in on my personal
goal: the world championship title. The team has impressed me with its
determination and the pleasant way in which everyone treats each other.
Every individual is absolutely committed to helping the whole team be
successful. I am really excited about the Monte.”<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Norwegian
Mikkelsen will link up with Finn Mikko Markkula when he begins his
10-event programme on Vodafone Rally de Portugal in April.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
“Volkswagen
is a very goal-oriented team, which has developed beyond measure during
the preparations for the WRC,” said Mikkelsen. “The team left nothing
to chance during the Dakar project, and demonstrated the right approach
to motorsport. I can learn a lot here and achieve a lot in the future.”<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Did you know?</b> Andreas Mikkelsen set two records in 2008 when the became the WRC’s youngest point scorer and stage winner.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source: <b><a href="http://wrc.com/">wrc.com</a></b> </div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-18084369740144461702012-12-09T01:06:00.001+02:002012-12-09T01:06:12.981+02:00Andreas Mikkelsen confirmed for third Volkswagen WRC seat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6W7bNLkmQJCdcR063K1uUBCPJNZrNIif-plmeMNh6igVnHeaAErLKrY6fgLSSO6Ud-SfRWR-QpV9dywf3rD_L5MUrXqZhIqpvTExah9T44BL0DRcIgavYx3K3yf-ncPX4MLv7Hs7aGqjk/s1600/401747_467433503313791_1203642190_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6W7bNLkmQJCdcR063K1uUBCPJNZrNIif-plmeMNh6igVnHeaAErLKrY6fgLSSO6Ud-SfRWR-QpV9dywf3rD_L5MUrXqZhIqpvTExah9T44BL0DRcIgavYx3K3yf-ncPX4MLv7Hs7aGqjk/s320/401747_467433503313791_1203642190_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Volkswagen has officially confirmed that Andreas Mikkelsen will drive
a third Polo World Rally Car from round four of the 2013 WRC in
Portugal.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Norwegian's deal had long been anticipated, but was only formally announced at the VW WRC launch in Monaco on Saturday.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mikkelsen contested a partial WRC season with VW's preparatory Skoda
Super 2000 programme this year, alongside winning his second straight
Intercontinental Rally Challenge title.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"It's been a few years in the IRC, so it's great to be back in the WRC with a World Rally Car," said Mikkelsen.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I think it was 2008 the last time I drove one, so it's fantastic to be back.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I am so happy to be with a great team and with a great car, I'm really, really positive about the future."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sebastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala will form VW's full-time 2013 WRC line-up.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source:<a href="http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104766?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter"><b> Autosport</b></a> </div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-92081654899681663312012-12-07T01:56:00.001+02:002012-12-07T01:56:13.694+02:00Andreas Mikkelsen: my favourite roads<div style="text-align: justify;">
Up hill, down dale and everything in between - Skoda works driver Andreas Mikkelsen tells us his favourite rally stages.</div>
<div class="article-body clear" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR9gR9uIvLjSJMJW3ZpxKGN6R64-H7CXc21ISfNte3LoCKYHKLzrm1tByXDfH9SPUJqu1dnMsxxG9EAczhjBazAkgW6gmJ006gSphGafdN4H20E1mdoGjaxG_Kx8L5O3VRarTfPWgx7KA/s1600/andy1-vert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR9gR9uIvLjSJMJW3ZpxKGN6R64-H7CXc21ISfNte3LoCKYHKLzrm1tByXDfH9SPUJqu1dnMsxxG9EAczhjBazAkgW6gmJ006gSphGafdN4H20E1mdoGjaxG_Kx8L5O3VRarTfPWgx7KA/s400/andy1-vert.jpg" width="400" /></a>What’s your favourite piece of road? Is it fast, twisty, narrow or
wide? Every enthusiast has an answer, but few can top a rally driver’s
answers for quality or variety. Mud, snow or tar, they’ve seen it all.
Fast, technical, tree-lined or teetering on a precipice, they’ve done
it. Always against the clock and in the heat of competition, they tackle
the world’s toughest roads in the world’s most extreme road cars.<br />
Skoda’s
double IRC champion, Andreas Mikkelsen, may only be 23, but he has six
years of top-flight competition behind him. He’s competed across the
globe in a variety of cars, and his answer to the question tells you a
lot about what motivates him. There are common themes in many of his
answers – notably that the bigger and faster the challenge, the happier
he is – but it’s just as clear that to be a successful rally driver you
need to be able to deliver, whatever the conditions. Here, then, are
Mikkelsen’s 10 favourite challenges in the world…<br />
<strong>Vargåsen - Rally Sweden</strong><br />
“This
stage has everything: blind crests, tight, technical sections and
really fast bits. But everyone knows it for the jump known as Colin’s
Crest, named in honour of 1995 world champion Colin McRae. What makes it
so special is that it’s not just a flat-out leap; you need to have
super-accurate pacenotes, your co-driver needs to call it perfectly and
you need to have a very specific line. That and super-big balls. The
fastest cars jumped more than 30 metres over the crest last year. That’s
an awful long way to be in the air with no control when you are going
at high speed — especially if you hit the jump off line.”<br />
<strong>Sete Cidades - Rallye Azores</strong><br />
“This
is known as the ‘volcano stage’ because of the location, which is
pretty spectacular when you’re standing still, let alone going flat out
in a rally car. There’s a long section that runs along the top of a
ridge, with massive drops on each side. The roads on this rally are
generally very narrow, but in some parts they really open up. That
requires a very technical style of driving, and I love that. There are
also sections of the event where the stages have both gravel and tarmac
sections. Most drivers hate that, as the car feels so loose on the
tarmac on gravel settings, but I love the challenge.”<br />
<strong>Ouninpohja - Rally Finland</strong><br />
“This
is one of the most famous stages in the World Rally Championship. At 21
miles, it is a really long challenge. You are flat out on gravel,
moving the car around at high speed over blind crests and jumps that
just keep coming at you. It is one of those stages that you will never
drive perfectly, because there’s so much to take in. Experience helps,
but there is too much to learn in one lifetime. The speeds are also so
high that you can never take risks; if you don’t respect the stage, it
will bite you.”<br />
<strong>Halfway - Wales Rally GB</strong><br />
“I
actually had a pretty big crash here in 2007. The car went over five or
six times after I slid offline and clipped a bank. It wasn’t so bad;
generally, the crashes that don’t end with a sudden stop aren’t so big.
But what I love about this stage is what also caught me out: they are
fast, flowing roads, and if you miss the line then you must accept you
will lose a lot of time or risk going off. The crests are frequent and
they often tighten, so you must drive with confidence and listen to your
co-driver, not your eyes.”<br />
<strong>Glen Roy - Rally Isle of Man</strong><br />
“People
say rally drivers are mad, but after rallying on the Isle of Man I know
that I am completely sane compared to the bikers. This is what real
rallying is about: tight, twisty stages, open, fast moorland, hairpins,
crests, blind corners and everything else in between. Picking one great
stage is not easy — they are all great — but Glen Roy is one of the ones
that sticks in my mind, not least because I still hold the fastest time
ever over it. At just over 4.5 miles in length, it’s short, but it is
also fun. This is such a special rally; it has a unique atmosphere, and
one day I’ll find a way to get back there.”<br />
<strong>Moll’s Gap - Circuit of Ireland</strong><br />
“Rallying
is a huge sport in Ireland, and the Moll’s Gap stage is perhaps the
most famous of all. It is so fast, and it cuts through open scenery so
everyone gets fantastic views — not just the spectators, but also the
competitors. In 2007 I had a great run and took the record for the
fastest time. Then the next car took the record off me. I’d conquered
one of the best roads in one of the toughest countries for rallying for
all of two minutes!”<br />
<strong>Anadiou - Cyprus Rally</strong><br />
“This
isn’t the best stage or even best rally in the world, but it is home to
some of my most intense emotions. After a difficult start to my 2011
season when I crashed 400 metres into my first event with the Skoda
team, we all worked hard to pull it together. And after all that hard
work, here I was at the last stage of the season with the title in my
grasp. I had a big lead, so I just needed to finish. But how do you
concentrate in those situations when there’s no pressure to drive fast?
It really is hard to drive at six-tenths when you spend your life going
flat out, and my solution is to drive more sideways for the spectators.
There is less chance of crashing but it still requires your total
concentration. So that’s what I did. And at the end, total joy. To win
that title was amazing — and to be able to go back and defend my title
again this year was every bit as special.”<br />
<strong>Drummond Hill - Rally of Scotland</strong><br />
“I
took my first IRC win on Rally of Scotland, and this was the stage that
really stood out for me on this incredible event. Again, it’s really
fast, full of crests and a lot of the time you are driving blind,
putting your absolute trust in the pacenotes. When we recce a stage we
usually video it, and I’ll watch it back between two and six times. This
one was definitely one I watched six times, and even then I didn’t
learn it because it is so complex. In the dry it really is beautiful:
fast, flowing and rewarding. Trouble is, it rains a lot in Scotland.”<br />
<strong>Ronde - Rallye Sanremo</strong><br />
“This
is one of the longest stages in rallying at more than 27 miles; the
last time I was there, the fastest car took just under half an hour to
complete the stage. I wore a heart rate monitor for the whole run, and
if I tell you I averaged 155 beats per minute for the duration then
you’ll get an idea of how intense it is. I peaked at 187 beats per
minute. That’s pretty high considering I’m in a car strapped in a seat
and just moving my arms and ankles about. Even the world’s best drivers
have to learn to concentrate on going that fast for that long. It comes
with experience.”<br />
<strong>Smaadola - Numedal Rally, Norway</strong><br />
“This
stage is a classic Norwegian snow challenge. It is up in the mountains,
and is run uphill in the morning and then downhill to close the event.
And let me tell you it is fast! And so beautiful. I actually co-drove
through this stage once, to learn about how a rally works. I am happy to
admit now that I am the worst passenger ever, and I could never be a
co-driver. But on that downhill run it is like driving through a picture
at 100mph.”<br />
<br />
Source: <a href="http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport/andreas-mikkelsen-my-favourite-roads"><b>AutoCar</b></a></div>
Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-13535794122014391282012-12-05T15:04:00.000+02:002012-12-05T15:33:57.212+02:00Andreas Mikkelsen feels sorry for Petter Solberg's retirement<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am so sad to hear the news this morning about Petter Solbergs retirement. He has been a great inspiration for any young driver and a big inspiration here in Norway where he proved that this little country can raise world rally champions. It is up to us now to follow in his footsteps as one of the best drivers in the world and I will do as best as I can to fulfill that! — with Petter Solberg.
<img height="425" src="http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/300073_520732671279324_1774607145_n.jpg" width="580" /></div>
rallyscottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01673758143189350141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-1031650756742407042012-12-03T14:28:00.001+02:002012-12-03T14:55:54.180+02:00Andreas Mikkelsen on the Skoda Fabia at Autosport Awards 2012<img src="http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/1256_519848768034381_531131156_n.jpg" /><br />
ANDREAS WILL BE AT THE AUTO-SPORT AWARDS TO NIGHT IN LONDON....TOGETHER WITH IS CAR.... !!! MORE INFO TO FOLLOW...rallyscottiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01673758143189350141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-71188345740426159942012-09-05T22:05:00.002+03:002012-09-05T22:07:49.420+03:00Zanchi: Zlin points could be crucial for Mikkelsen<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6A_hSA_nPzLjqYDTYFwYHD82pUugqxtVkylNxJ9CIj8DX3tCUXu0V3ScZlbLKjt4wwNFnfTmgooxccAZjL58yuUKvJQC0ZcWomOnYBUkDAjghoJYPgZQmAL0zEKYrbWoujt1eCTQHthE/s1600/43.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6A_hSA_nPzLjqYDTYFwYHD82pUugqxtVkylNxJ9CIj8DX3tCUXu0V3ScZlbLKjt4wwNFnfTmgooxccAZjL58yuUKvJQC0ZcWomOnYBUkDAjghoJYPgZQmAL0zEKYrbWoujt1eCTQHthE/s320/43.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5784771223125945842" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Andreas Mikkelsen’s team boss Piefrancesco Zanchi says the ŠKODA UK Motorsport ace’s capture of four points on Barum Czech Rally Zlín could yet prove decisive in the race for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge title.<br /><br />Defending champion Mikkelsen languished in eighth position on the asphalt event after a double puncture on one stage dropped him out of a seemingly certain podium place. However, he maintains his healthy grip on the coveted crown as the climax to the all-action IRC’s sixth season approaches.<br /><br />“The final morning in Zlín was disappointing, but also bad luck because it’s very unusual to get two punctures at the same corner,” said Zanchi, who oversaw Mikkelsen’s thrilling IRC title triumph last season. “The team did a great job all weekend. We completely changed the set-up of the car after day one and it worked well on Sunday morning. The points we’ve taken will be important, because we have seen that the IRC can be won or lost by one or two points.”<br /><br />After nine rounds, Mikkelsen’s lead over Juho Hänninen – IRC champion in 2010 – is 43 points. However, with dropped scores and double points on offer for the season-closing Cyprus Rally in November, the title chase remains wide open.<br /><br />Source: <a href="http://www.ircseries.com/news/detail/id/872"><span style="font-weight: bold;">irc official website</span></a><br /></div>Arli Racegirlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11810594227077517259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-982204748124056957.post-85894173188636457432012-09-02T11:01:00.000+03:002012-09-02T00:07:01.196+03:00ŠKODA fills top 8 in Barum<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHU42aTH8ATPibp3mxUSRarRjk3RVSTdoD4MnHg7Bctf5VXn-oMb4dPmlybK82U74cUffNxWNDnL-MOSeAi5Q1LlNSc2swSMlomLGH5n5XUwK9Kw8ipDuhdoSYyCUJiRjqflWLxazKCtb/s1600/44.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHU42aTH8ATPibp3mxUSRarRjk3RVSTdoD4MnHg7Bctf5VXn-oMb4dPmlybK82U74cUffNxWNDnL-MOSeAi5Q1LlNSc2swSMlomLGH5n5XUwK9Kw8ipDuhdoSYyCUJiRjqflWLxazKCtb/s400/44.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5783316986198956482" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="padding-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;" class="paragraph_style_3">An incredible eight ŠKODA Fabia S2000s head the field at the end of the opening leg of the Barum Czech Rally Zlín, as the local manufacturer dominates its round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.<br /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;" class="paragraph_style_3">Juho Hänninen, Jan Kopecký and Andreas Mikkelsen are the top three drivers, having mastered today’s slippery conditions better than most.<br /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;" class="paragraph_style_3">The fab Fabia trio have been very close all day, although Andreas certainly doesn’t appear to like the 11.9 mile (19.18km) Tesák test, as the ŠKODA UK Motorsport driver dropped 33.4 seconds to leader Hänninen over the two runs (SS7/9) – most during the slippery final section, which had shinny black Tarmac and all the grip properties of ice.<br /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;" class="paragraph_style_3">“The performance has been good and Ola and I feel happy with the job that we’ve done, but there is this one stage I’ve struggled with. We tried a new set-up on our Fabia S2000 today and it works really well when the road is twisty and narrow, but when it’s fast and the car is leaning at high speed it’s not so good. If you take that stage away we’d be leading the rally!<br /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;" class="paragraph_style_3">“We will make some changes tonight to the car and go out tomorrow on a different set-up. There are six really fast and long stages tomorrow, so everything is possible.”<br /></p> <div style="text-align: justify;">Even with a sunnier forecast, tomorrow’s second and final leg will still be a challenge, with three stages in the morning and a repeat run of them in the afternoon. The day contains the 14.5 mile (23.38km) Maják stage (SS12/15) which is the longest of the event, run in the reverse direction to the last year and broadcast live on Eurosport. The finish ceremony is in Zlín at 14.30.<br /><br />source: <a href="http://www.skodaukmotorsport.com/Skoda_UK_Motorsport7/News/Entries/2012/9/1_SKODA_fills_top_8_in_Barum.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Skoda Official Website</span></a><br /></div>Arleth Dantashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15926058459605760016noreply@blogger.com