The Toksport team at work before Monte-Carlo 2023

At Skoda Motorsport, the rule is simple: there is no official team. However, when Toksport sets up somewhere, it does not go unnoticed. Made up of several trucks, the structure requires a significant amount of space. This also implies a large staff and impressive logistics which give it the appearance of… an official team!

6 Skodas for Toksport in Monte-Carlo

For 91^e edition of Monte-Carlo, the Toksport team which is based at the Nürburgring in Germany will take care of 6 cars for Sami Pajari, Oliver Solberg, Chris Ingram, Marco Bulacia, Nikolay Gryazin and François Delecour. Depending on the agreements made, these drivers have one or two days of testing. Most of them rode during the week on the slopes of the Col des Garcinets where residual snow and ice made this session interesting for the crews and spectacular for the lucky enthusiasts who made the trip. It is not every time that it is possible to see 6 cars taking turns!1

The experience happened again this Saturday near Gap, this time on a completely dry basis. The day before, François Delecour and the Solberg family had attended the hockey match between Les Rapaces de Gap and Cergy. Back on the tarmac to prepare for his return to WRC2, the Swede is smiling. “ I try not to think about what happened last year, he explains while the mechanics change his tires. I regret not being in a Rally1 anymore to continue what we were building, but I have a good program and we have to do everything to make it work. »

Oliver and Petter Solberg speak with the engineer in charge of the Swede's Fabia RS Rally2 (Photo Loïc Rocci)

Exchanging a lot with his father Petter, Oliver still has to perfect his understanding of the new Fabia R2 Rally2. “ It is longer and I find it a little lazier than the previous one, he explains. On the other hand, it has a great engine and excellent balance. » In Monte-Carlo, Solberg is not registered in WRC2 so he will primarily seek to gain experience.

Pajari: “Not yet perfectly in harmony with this new version”

This will also be the case for Sami Pajari. The young Finn from Toksport only plans to start his WRC2 season in Sweden. “ I'm not yet perfectly in harmony with this new version, he reveals in his always very calm voice. This is one of Marco Bulacia’s characteristics. The 22-year-old Bolivian is as placid outside of a cockpit as he can be aggressive behind the wheel. If an accident in Belgium during the preparation of the rally of Ypres had forced him to interrupt his season last year, here he is again in great shape. “ I'm back completely 100%he smiled. I can't wait to be at the start of the event even if I don't have any bearings with the car. We will compete in Monte-Carlo and Sweden in WRC2, then we will see what races we will do. »

Sami Pajari and his co-driver Enni Mälkönen talk with Skoda technicians about the Fabia RS Rally2 (Photo Loïc Rocci)

While the Skoda ballet continues, Oliver finishes his run. Once out of the car, a discussion begins with Petter and the engineer in charge of this Fabia. During this time, a mechanic pierced the hood in order to be able to attach the headlight strip. The first Monte-Carl’ specials will take place at night on Thursday January 19 and until then the crews will not have the opportunity to test the equipment and its settings. The 6 Toksport drivers present will therefore take advantage of the falling darkness to further perfect their preparation. See you in 8 days to find out who worked the best

Nikolay Gryazin already has a success with the new Skoda. Will he be able to take advantage of it for Monte-Carlo? (Photo Loïc Rocci)

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