“This is my first time driving at the Rally Argentina. It’s one of the toughest and most demanding events in the World Rally Championship. You have to find the right pace to get the car through the stages in one piece,” says Pontus Tidemand. Together with co-driver Jonas Andersson, the ŠKODA works driver is placing his faith in the ŠKODA FABIA R5 that he already drove to victory in the Rally Mexico. If Tidemand secures a top result in Argentina, he’s poised to take over the lead in the World Rally Championship (WRC 2).
“We’re proud to be the strongest brand in the WRC 2 field here in Argentina with a total of six ŠKODA FABIA R5. It’s a clear indication that our strategy of demonstrating the attractiveness and competitiveness of our rally car with the presence of our works team is definitely working,” says ŠKODA Motorsport boss Michal Hrabánek with obvious pleasure.
Interim standings Rally Argentina (WRC 2)
1. Tidemand/Andersson (SWE/SWE) ŠKODA FABIA R5, 1:59,2 min.
2. Guerra/Cué (MEX/ESP), ŠKODA FABIA R5, +2,0 sec.
3. Ptasek/Szepaniak (POL/POL), ŠKODA FABIA R5, +2,9 sec.
4. Heller/Olmos (CHL/ARG), Ford Fiesta R5, +4,8 sec.
5. Alonso/Mercadal (ARTG/ARG, ŠKODA FABIA R5, +7,8 sec.
6. Saba Rodriguez/Mussano (PRY/ARG), ŠKODA FABIA R5, +8,8 sec.
The 2017 calendar for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC 2)
Event Date
Rally Monte Carlo 19.01.–22.01.2017
Rally Sweden 09.02.–12.02.2017
Rally Mexico 09.03.–12.03.2017
Rally France 06.04.–09.04.2017
Rally Argentina 27.04.–30.04.2017
Rally Portugal 18.05.–21.05.2017
Rally Italy 08.06.–11.06.2017
Rally Poland 29.06.–02.07.2017
Rally Finland 27.07.–30.07.2017
Rally Germany 17.08.–20.08.2017
Rally Spain 05.10.–08.10.2017
Rally Great Britain 26.10.–29.10.2017
Rally Australia 16.11.–19.11.2017
