Skoda cuts back for 2004
Skoda is to cut back its World Rally Championship programme in 2004, because of the cost of competing on the expanded 16-round championship that is being introduced for next season
The Czech manufacturer will not register for the championship next year and will simply undertake a programme of 10 WRC events in Europe. The decision was revealed by Skoda Auto chairman Vratislav Kulhanek to Czech newspaper Daily Sport.
The decision not to register means that Skoda will not be allowed to homologate a new version of the Fabia WRC and will have to use the current evolution for any events it does contest.
Toni Gardemeister is expected to stay with the team, but this could well mean the end for Didier Auriol's Skoda career. The Frenchman is known to have wanted a serious development programme if he was to take up an option to stay.
The second car now looks likely to be shared between young Czechs Roman Kresta and Jan Kopecky and Finnish rising star Mikko Hirvonen.
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
How real-time scrutineering ensures fair and consistent competition in motorsport
How MotoGP brakes work: Secrets of stopping a 220mph bike
Hyundai enacts contingency plan after WRC Kenya fuel issue
Vanwall working on 2025 WEC comeback with heavily-revised Hypercar
How Rovanpera showed his class above his WRC rivals in Kenya
How a new 'old' challenge is capturing the spirit of British rallying lore
How Lappi survived Swedish snow carnage to snap his lengthy WRC drought
The new WRC highs Neuville reached to defeat Monte master Ogier
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments