IRC: Loix set to make debut with VW.

Former Peugeot and Mitsubishi works WRC driver, Freddy Loix will give the Volkswagen Polo S2000 its debut on the Belgium Rally Ypres later this month, the third round in the 2007 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Volkswagen is due to enter two cars on the all-asphalt event, which runs from June 21-24, with upcoming Polish driver, Tomasz Czopik joining Loix in the sister Polo S2000.

IRC: Loix set to make debut with VW.

Former Peugeot and Mitsubishi works WRC driver, Freddy Loix will give the Volkswagen Polo S2000 its debut on the Belgium Rally Ypres later this month, the third round in the 2007 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Volkswagen is due to enter two cars on the all-asphalt event, which runs from June 21-24, with upcoming Polish driver, Tomasz Czopik joining Loix in the sister Polo S2000.

Despite an unprecedented array of Super 2000 cars, Loix is one of the favourites to win due to his local knowledge: "I've known pressure before, so I'm definitely out there to try and win," noted the Belgian.

"Ypres is one of my favourite rallies in Belgium as it always requires so much commitment and precision. Nearly all the roads are surrounded by ditches, so if you make even a small mistake it has serious consequences."

Loix has been in charge of the development of the Super 2000 Volkswagen Polo from the beginning of the programme, which is run by Rene Georges Rallysport and entered in the IRC by the South African Volkwagen importer.

"The car is very good and one of its strengths is the fact that it is actually quite simple," added Loix. "This makes it easy to drive, but of course we'll have a huge amount of competition in Ypres.

"This rally will be a very important one for me, as I'm hoping to be able to do some more IRC rounds in future."

Other IRC newcomers in Belgium meanwhile will include Corrado Fontana, Pieter Tsjoen and Michal Solowow in Abarth Grande Puntos, as well as Bernd Casier, Marco Cavigioli, Luca Rossetti and Janos Toth, all in Peugeot 207 S2000s.

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