From http://www.britishrally.com/newsshow.asp?item=9997942

North Yorkshire preparation specialists ProSpeed Motorsport are delighted to announce the acquisition of four SKODA OCTAVIA WORLD RALLY CARS, along with the entire remaining spare parts stock held by Skoda Motorsport in the Czech Republic.

The 2003 'EVO 3' specification machines will be arriving in the UK shortly, where ProSpeed Motorsport will offer the ex-factory cars for hire to interested drivers. Technical back up and a complete spares package will be offered by the company, and a strong working relationship with Skoda engine specialists 'Motor Design' has been established to give the best possible customer support for interested customers.

ProSpeed Motorsport, who currently run Super 1600 Renault Clio's in the Junior World Rally Championship and British series, will target the cars at a wide audience. The hire costs for the Skoda's will be very close to the running costs of leading Production Cup specification cars, and as a result, the company are confident of a strong interest in the ex-works Octavia's.

ProSpeed Motorsport Managing Director Olly Marshall was delighted with the initial response to the imminent arrival of the cars, and was confident that the bold move would be a successful one for the company:

"It is a major investment for ProSpeed Motorsport, but one that we are delighted with. By taking everything from Skoda Motorsport in the Czech Republic, we are now in the position to dictate how we can market and hire out the cars. Our intention is to market the cars at National level within the UK, where we believe the cars will be a force to be reckoned with in the right hands.

A glance at the stage times in the 2003 FIA World Rally Championship shows that the Octavia was often quicker than the Hyundai Accent WRC - a very popular and successful car within the UK at the moment. As we can offer the Octavia WRC's for near identical money to leading Group N cars, I am very much looking forward to strong interest in the cars from prospective drivers".

The cars will be arriving in the UK shortly and are likely to appear on rounds of the British Rally Championship, Kumho National Rally Championship and BTRDA Rally series before the end of the season.

Paul..

Excellent news, hopefully those of us that get to regional rallies will get to see them running first hand, something much more difficult to achieve with the WRC wales round.

They do very well on the national events on the continent, hopefully they'll do the same here

are they as quick as mine?

Will we ever know?

prob best to let sleeping octy's lye.....

At the moment? Yup

are they as quick as mine?

I would imagine so. They probably have about

Do you think Prospeed Motorsport would sell a wrc bodykit if I asked nice enough?

I rang up Skoda today to ask how much the WRC wing was (for the ltd edition white vRS). They rang me back:

them: Are you sitting down sir,

me: Yes

them: The WRC rear spoiler is 1200 + painting and fitting!

me: Errrrrm that was a bit more than i was expecting, are you sure that's the spoiler from the RS?

them: Yes - that's the WRC spoiler.

me: As in from the WRC car?

them: Yes that's the one. It's made of honecomb kevlar you know!

me: Hmmm That's a little more than I was considering paying but thanks anyway!

them: No problems, if you change your mind and want me to order one just let me know...

me:

So DayTripper - they will sell you anything you like!

How much do you think you'd get for a kidney??

Holy christ fire!

Er what can I say, im speechless, I dont think I will purse this idea er anymore lol.

Howcome you didnt go for the replica wrc wing only costs around

Howcome you didnt go for the replica wrc wing only costs around

it doesnt it costs 250 + fitting and painting.

they wont sell you a wrc bodykit cos there is no such thing.. it is a special factory shell with the roll cage in it.

Hmmm, now where did I put my credit card.... oh, that's right, in a safe place!

I never knew it was one whole shell. Are any books available on the car?