http://www.irish-rallying.com/article.php?article_id=040729/171137

Shane Braniff Buys Skoda Octavia WRC!

Thursday, July 29 2004 17:11 by dugganb - 334 hits

Mark Higgins to take the wheel in Lurgan Park.

Shane Braniff has purchased an ex-Armin Schwarz Skoda Octavia World Rally Car and has secured a deal to hire Octavias to drivers in Ireland

It's a major coup for the Eurocables boss who sealed the deal with ProSpeed but Braniff, who has owned both Subaru and Hyundai World Rally Cars in recent months, will not be piloting his new acquisition in Lurgan Park. Instead, he is supplying a car for former British Champion, Mark Higgins.

Braniff said: "My car is being fully rebuilt at the minute so unfortunately it won't be ready in time for Lurgan Park. But I've done a deal with ProSpeed and I have access to four Octavia World Rally Cars. If anyone in Ireland wants to hire one of the cars then they have to go through me. In fact, I'm supplying a car for Mark Higgins to drive in Lurgan Park. There will actually be two Octavias in the park - Jonny Milner will be driving the other one."

"I still love the Hyundai but I'm equally as happy, if not happier, with the Skoda. Now I'm the first man to bring a Skoda into the country and to be honest I think they will prove to be very good. A lot will hinge how the car goes this weekend (at the Manx) and in Lurgan Park but one of the top Irish drivers has already shown an interest in using one of them for next year's Championship."

"All being well there will be a Fabia WRC further down the line. If theres a chance of getting one of those over that would be absolutely brilliant, I think they're absolutely gorgeous cars!"

If it was on this island, I'd be there! Would be good to see the octy wrc in action.

If it was on this island, I'd be there! Would be good to see the octy wrc in action.

I seen them in Italy in 2000 (I think) they were megga !, after that I took a lot more notice of the Octavia road car and then bought one

I wrote that! I'll be at Lurgan Park, usually a good day out. Just hope the weather is good. The event's website can be found at http://www.lurganparkrally.com

On another note, Jani Paasonen in the Skoda Fabia WRC is currently sixth overall at the Rally Finland.

I wrote that! I'll be at Lurgan Park' date=' usually a good day out. Just hope the weather is good. The event's website can be found at [url']http://www.lurganparkrally.com[/url]

On another note, Jani Paasonen in the Skoda Fabia WRC is currently sixth overall at the Rally Finland.

Rallyinfo

How did it go ?

Any photos ?