WRC: VW tests Riedemann and Weijs jr

Next week, VW will field two Skoda Fabia S2000s at the rally of Finland, in order to prepare his troops for his arrival in WRC in 2013. The stated objective is also to test young drivers. On the occasion of the 1000 Lakes Rally, the German firm will test the Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen, for whom the Fabia no longer holds any secrets since he drives it in IRC, and the local driver Joonas Lindroos.

From the German rally, from August 18 to 21, the operation will be renewed. “The German Rally is the second stage of our search for young talents, explains Kris Nissen, Director of Volkswagen Motorsport. As in Finland we have selected two young drivers who have already shown great potential. They are now offered this unique opportunity to test themselves in the most difficult competitive conditions during a freelance with the Volkswagen Rally Team. »

In Germany, the first Skoa Fabia will be entrusted to a young 23-year-old German: Chritian Riedemann. He will be co-driven by Michael Wenzel. This young hopeful, who is part of the WRC Academy (After the first two rounds, he is 7th overall), will make his first appearance at the wheel of an S2000 on this occasion. “ The WRC Academy plays a major role in my ambition to become a professional rally driver. The competition is intense, and those who prove their talent could have the chance to compete later in a higher discipline. » Riedemann seems to have been right. After the first two rounds, the Riedemann-Wenzel duo is 7th in the general classification.

The second Fabia S2000 will be entrusted to 24-year-old Dutchman Trier Hans Weijs junior. The latter is coming off three seasons in the Junior WRC, a championship in which he finished runner-up in 2010 and has now become the WRC Academy. He is co-driven by Belgian Bjorn Degandt. Note that the duo, in a Skoda Fabia S2000, finished third in the Ypres Rally, which counts for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

The two men, who also both won the 2010 Rally Germany in their respective categories, will have Skodas bearing the colors of Wings For Life, a charitable operation helping research into curing spinal cord injuries and including one of the ambassadors is Sebastian Vettel.