Joint venture!
The first among three “meetings” between European Rally Championship and Intercontinental Rally Challenge was held in Belgium. This led to great in terms of quantity and quality entries. The rally was marked for its competition and surprises. Local hero Freddy Loix was the star of the event, in his comeback to the series. The Belgian was the fastest driver of the rally in his new Skoda Fabia S2000 of the 1.820 mm. wheelbase and although he was absent for a long time, he managed to win. The only one able to challenge him was Kris Meeke in a Peugeot 207 S2000, at least until the moment that the Irishman went off and retired. Jan Kopecky completed the ideal 1-2 for the Czech factory at the rallying debut of the new Fabia. Indeed, the Czech driver, Kopecky, set his first ERC points, and returned to the battle for the title. The talented Belgian driver, Thierry Neuville, managed a podium finish in the second Peugeot 207 S2000, backed by Belgian team Kronos Racing, in an event that confirmed his skills. It’s worth noting that the greatest IRC stars participated in Belgium. The Frenchman Stephane Sarrazin was there in a factory backed 207 S2000, as well as the Proton team in two Satria’s S2000 for Chris Atkinson and Alister McRae. Sarrazin went off in the opening special stage of the rally while both the two Satria’s retired during the first day due to engine problems.