Negotiations about Skoda's future in the World Rally Championship are continuing this week whilst various rumours persist about who might drive for any privately operated Fabia squad in 2006.

It appears to be growing more and more likely that the works involvement of Skoda Motorsport will be cut back next season, although to quite what extent it is not yet clear.

A Skoda spokesman said: "There's no news yet, as the negotiations are still in process. However, to see the Skoda Fabia WRC regularly in 2006 WRC is the clear priority of Skoda Auto management."

It seems that there will be at least one private team running Fabia WRCs next year; the most certain is Armin Schwarz's "Red Bull" team who have already been in discussions with Colin McRae and Francois Duval over a 2006 drive.

Perhaps the Czech marques best option will be a Red Bull funded, works supported team, managed by Armin Schwarz with the cars run by British team RED, who have also been mentioned in the ongoing rumours. RED already have the capability to run World Rally Cars and have recently expanded their facilities in anticipation of an increased involvement in the sport.

Any future development of the Fabia would certainly require some works support though - in 2005 the Fabia's engine was built by Audi Sport whilst the team also utilised the windtunnel of their German cousin.

With only 7 weeks to go until the Monte Carlo, it is sure to be a busy time, but Skoda fans should not get too depressed about the brand's 2006 chances - the very fact that Schwarz is talking to top-liners like McRae and Duval bodes well for a serious effort.

Have to say that it would be great to see

(i) Colin McRae back in WRC , and

(ii) in a Skoda

As always, money is the problem, with top flight WRC cars costing around 400 - 500,000 quid ......... each ...