Skoda confirms drivers

Manufacturer opts for mixture of youth and experience in 2005

Skoda has decided to opt for a blend of experience and youth in 2005 after confirming on Tuesday that veteran Armin Schwarz will be joined by a selection of rising stars throughout the 16-event campaign.

In the wake of the collapse of talks between the Czech Republic car manufacturer and Colin McRae over a deal for 2005, the company has decided that Schwarz will take part in every rally next year while the second car will be shared by Janne Tuohino, Jani Paasonen and Alex Bengue.

The choice of driver for the second car will be decided according to the skills and experience of the youngsters

And a third car for versatile DTM champ Mattias Ekstr

And a third car for versatile DTM champ Mattias Ekstr

Have skoda got any chance this year? would love to see them do well.

I would just love to see them on the telly!! last year they have managed to not show Skoda as much as possible but if it's in the top seven will they show it..... I am not holding my breath

I would just love to see them on the telly!! last year they have managed to not show Skoda as much as possible but if it's in the top seven will they show it..... I am not holding my breath

Get yourself Eurosport (Sky), Skoda get a lot more coverage than ITV give and theres plenty of other M-sport on it & Motors TV.

Alex Bengue won a stage yesterday but lost it afterwards, which is a shame with some of the favourites dropping out later on. He could and should have been in the points.

Still, he looks like a very talented young man.

Alex Bengue won a stage yesterday but lost it afterwards' date=' which is a shame with some of the favourites dropping out later on. He could and should have been in the points.

Still, he looks like a very talented young man.[/quote']

Why did he loose it afterwards ? I though he got 2 fastest stage times, one was the stage that Duval went off on.

From autosport.com on Saturday's stages:

"...and Skoda star Alex Bengue. The latter impressed again by going third quickest on SS8, proving that his first ever WRC fastest stage time (on SS6 this morning) was certainly not a fluke. A time-consuming error on SS9 brought Bengue back down to earth however, and harmed his chances of snatching seventh from Kresta."

From autosport.com on Saturday's stages:

"...and Skoda star Alex Bengue. The latter impressed again by going third quickest on SS8' date=' proving that his first ever WRC fastest stage time (on SS6 this morning) was certainly not a fluke. A time-consuming error on SS9 brought Bengue back down to earth however, and harmed his chances of snatching seventh from Kresta."[/quote']

Looks like theres some confusion, as it says 2 fastest stage times here and here.

Heres the stage times for SS6, Leob stopped on stage so I think thats why he was given the same time as Bengue.

For some reason though Rally-live.com doesn't show him as winning any stages :confused: .

Maybe this explains the reason for all the confusion.