There will be no fewer than three ŠKODA Motorsport FABIA R5s taking part this year, with the new WRC2 champion Pontus Tidemand being joined by the young Finnish driver Jusso Nordgren and Ole Christian Veiby from Norway.
They will be joined by three customer team cars, all of which are registered in the WRC2 category.
Raul Jeets / Kuldar Sikk
The experienced Estonian driver Raul Jeets will also be competing in a FABIA R5 for Team Tehase Auto alongside co-driver Kuldar Sikk. Remarkably, given his long career, this is just a third appearance in a WRC event for Jeets, who competed this year at the Rally Poland and the Rally Finland, where he finished sixth in the WRC2 standings. He comes into this rally in decent form after a third-place finish at the recent Saaremaa Rally in his homeland.
Łukasz Pieniążek / Przemysław Mazur
In contrast to the experienced Jeets, Polish driver Łukasz Pieniążek will be making his debut drive in a FABIA R5 in Wales. Competing for the Printsport Oy team alongside co-driver Przemysław Mazur, this is Pieniążek’s first season with 4WD cars. He has however driven six other WRC2 events this season in another car with a best finish of fifth in the WRC2 standings achieved at the Rally de Portugal.
“I am extremely excited to be starting in a ŠKODA FABIA R5 at the Wales Rally GB,” said Łukasz Pieniążek ahead of the rally. “I had the opportunity to test this car, so I know its great potential. My aim here is to finish all special stages and learn about the car in competitive conditions. The muddy stages of this WRC round won't make easier, but I believe that the support of an experienced team like Printsport will be a great help. I cannot wait to start the fight!”
David Bogie / Kevin Rae
Last but by no means least is the British driver David Bogie, who will be assisted as ever by co-driver Kevin Rae. Bogie won the British Rally Championship in 2011 and in 2017 - his second season driving a FABIA R5 - has been competing in the British Rally Championship again. He has won the Scottish Rally and will now be looking to improve on his ninth-place finish in the WRC2 standings here last year.
“The Wales Rally GB is a fantastic event and I can't wait to compete against the best in the world again,” commented David Bogie ahead of the rally. “Thanks to ŠKODA Motorsport for having us along!”
There will be no fewer than three ŠKODA Motorsport FABIA R5s taking part this year, with the new WRC2 champion Pontus Tidemand being joined by the young Finnish driver Jusso Nordgren and Ole Christian Veiby from Norway.
They will be joined by three customer team cars, all of which are registered in the WRC2 category.
Raul Jeets / Kuldar Sikk
The experienced Estonian driver Raul Jeets will also be competing in a FABIA R5 for Team Tehase Auto alongside co-driver Kuldar Sikk. Remarkably, given his long career, this is just a third appearance in a WRC event for Jeets, who competed this year at the Rally Poland and the Rally Finland, where he finished sixth in the WRC2 standings. He comes into this rally in decent form after a third-place finish at the recent Saaremaa Rally in his homeland.
Łukasz Pieniążek / Przemysław Mazur
In contrast to the experienced Jeets, Polish driver Łukasz Pieniążek will be making his debut drive in a FABIA R5 in Wales. Competing for the Printsport Oy team alongside co-driver Przemysław Mazur, this is Pieniążek’s first season with 4WD cars. He has however driven six other WRC2 events this season in another car with a best finish of fifth in the WRC2 standings achieved at the Rally de Portugal.
“I am extremely excited to be starting in a ŠKODA FABIA R5 at the Wales Rally GB,” said Łukasz Pieniążek ahead of the rally. “I had the opportunity to test this car, so I know its great potential. My aim here is to finish all special stages and learn about the car in competitive conditions. The muddy stages of this WRC round won't make easier, but I believe that the support of an experienced team like Printsport will be a great help. I cannot wait to start the fight!”
David Bogie / Kevin Rae
Last but by no means least is the British driver David Bogie, who will be assisted as ever by co-driver Kevin Rae. Bogie won the British Rally Championship in 2011 and in 2017 - his second season driving a FABIA R5 - has been competing in the British Rally Championship again. He has won the Scottish Rally and will now be looking to improve on his ninth-place finish in the WRC2 standings here last year.
“The Wales Rally GB is a fantastic event and I can't wait to compete against the best in the world again,” commented David Bogie ahead of the rally. “Thanks to ŠKODA Motorsport for having us along!”