Tiger on Ice

The Race Blue Octavia RS 4x4 kicks up fountains of tiny globules of ice that completely obscure the rear end of the ŠKODA. And this is just a warm-up lap. As a finishing touch, Pontus Tidemand spins a few doughnuts as if it were the easiest thing in the world. After a series of dizzyingly fast ice pirouettes, the racing pro and his all-wheel-drive car are just about warmed up – and yet every bit as cool as the surroundings.

It‘s a cold morning. Very cold, in fact. The thermometer at Austria‘s Obertauern Ice Park shows an icy minus 17 degrees Celsius. Roughly an hour‘s drive south of Salzburg, the 22-hectare Ice Park is one of the largest winter driving training grounds in Central Europe. Pontus Tidemand is used to the arctic temperatures. Out here, in raw natural surroundings, the ŠKODA works team driver, currently being touted as one of the most promising young talents on the international rallying scene, is in his element. And the Octavia RS 4x4 that he selected from the neatly arranged ŠKODA fleet on the edge of the grounds is, too. “For me, it‘s the sportiest, most dynamic ŠKODA,” says Tidemand, just before sprinting off towards the low winter’s morning sun.

After a few casual laps, the Scandinavian kicks it into high gear. With all the assistance systems switched off, which usually ensure the car stays safely in its lane, he puts on an exhilarating demonstration of his driving prowess. He instantaneously swings out the rear, drifting first in one direction, then in the other. The rock-hard surface beneath the snow tyres creaks and pops, the engine growls. Tidemand‘s artistic style is unmistakable: with traction alone – the snow tyres don‘t even have spikes to counteract the icy conditions – he defies the slickest of surfaces and holds his line. In moments such as this, his driving skills are reminiscent of the sleek efficiency of a Siberian tiger. Pontus Tidemand, Sweden‘s tiger on ice.

Can you compare the feeling of driving a rally car with that of driving a Fabia R5? Not exactly – but: “The basics are essentially the same”, explains Tidemand. “With a ŠKODA you know that you‘re getting quality. Very high quality that, after a year as an official ŠKODA driver, I have absolute confidence in.” Rally racing is “extreme” driving, he notes, and pushes cars to their absolute limits. And that pays off in the development of normal cars. It shows especially with all-wheel-drive models, he says. “The 4x4 models offer comprehensive safety features, above all on snow and ice. These cars remain predictable and stable even in slippery, icy corners.” And all-wheel drive also lowers the risk of getting stuck in the snow. Tidemand‘s conclusion: “The 4x4 models from ŠKODA are very comfortable to drive in all weather conditions, even on long drives.”

“... and action!” Tidemand and Kopecký volley their lines back and forth with well-practised ease. The next scene calls for the driver to hit the slalom course in the ŠKODA Superb 4x4. “The slalom course reveals the high quality of the running-gear setup and the smooth running of the car,” says Tidemand admiringly, as he confidently navigates the top-of-the-line model around the pylons. “With all-wheel drive, you can drive between the pylons at a higher speed. The car is much easier to control.” The driver patiently repeats this or that shot until the director has his material in the bag. Rally drivers have that kind of endurance. All of a sudden, snowballs are flying between Tidemand and Kopecký. As cool and focused as he normally is, he can cut loose, too.

Tidemand really opens up when asked about his plans for the future. “I always set myself high goals – this year I want to win the WRC 2 classification,” he says confidently, “and in the long run I want to be world champion. I hope that this hard training will pay off one day.” In rallies, the main thing, of course, is to drive as fast as possible. “But there are also other factors that play a role, such as being tactically astute and making smart decisions.” But skills would be nothing without passion. “We all love the massive hp.”