Loix to rejoin IRC with BFO Skoda

Loix, a winner of three IRC events, is likely to enter four rounds of the series with the Belgian Rene Georges Rally Sport operation. He will also tackle selected Belgian championship rallies.

"I'm very happy with my new car and my new sponsor because it is not easy to find a partner to help you," said Loix. "BFO is a Belgian company so I will also do some Belgian championship events."

Loix made his IRC debut with Rene Georges Rally Sport in a Volkswagen Polo S2000 in 2007, taking part in a handful of rallies. The 39-year-old joined the Kronos Racing-run Peugeot Team Belux operation for 2008 and finished second in the IRC drivers' standings to team-mate Nicolas Vouilloz. He was third overall last season, but the team lost its backing at the end of the year and he had to miss the 2010 opener in Monte Carlo last month.

"I only have good experiences of the Rene Georges team," continued Loix. "Although I have not driven the Skoda yet, I have been speaking to a lot of people who say it's an easy car to drive. I think it can be a very interesting season for me."

Loix has yet to finalise his exact IRC schedule but says he will definitely enter the Geko Ypres Rally in his native Belgium from 24-26 June. He is a five-time winner of the asphalt rally.