Skoda Ireland today announced that it is to sponsor talented rally driver Robert Barrable and his team Robert Barrable Rally Team as he prepares to take part in this weekend's Circuit of Ireland rally.
A native of Swords, Barrable is a former Billy Coleman Award winner and 2010 British and Irish Citroen Racing Trophy Champion.
The rolling sponsorship agreement will see Skoda Ireland support the Robert Barrable Rally Team with additional team infrastructure including the provision of branded merchandise, marketing, pr support and a team hospitality unit as well as investment towards event costs.
Robert is this season competing in the latest specification ex-works Skoda Fabia S2000 rally car and is due to compete in this weekend's Circuit of Ireland rally based in Armagh. This year the famous Circuit of Ireland Rally will form the third round of the global Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC). The second oldest rally in the world. Steeped in history, many epic battles can be recounted after almost 80 years of rallying on the Emerald Isle. Skoda has previously tasted success at the event with Eugene Donnelly and Paddy Toner winning in 2009 with a Skoda Fabia WRC.
Speaking at the announcement, Dubliner Barrable said "I'm delighted to have such a great brand like Skoda supporting the team, the Skoda Fabia S2000 is a fantastic rally car, with the added support from Skoda Ireland will hopefully lead to further success this season, starting this weekend in Northern Ireland."
Commenting on the sponsorship, Raymond Leddy, Marketing Manager, stated, "Skoda Ireland is very pleased to be able to support rising Irish Sports stars like Robert and we hope this sponsorship can help him further his career. We can see the potential in Robert and are delighted to be involved."
Robert has already tasted success in the Skoda Fabia S2000 and this season will build on the experience he has had in the car last year, highlights of which include winning the West Cork Rally and taking out right win on the Sligo Rally a counting round of the Irish National Rally Championship. Robert also took part in several rounds of last season's IRC and scored two championship points finishing ninth overall in the GEKO Ypres Rally a specialist tarmac round of the championship.
Skoda has a big presence at this weekend's Circuit of Ireland Rally and has made a very good start to this year's IRC by scoring two "doubles" in the Azores and the Canary Islands, and its ambition is to continue its success story in the upcoming rally in Ireland that is this year's first event to see ŠKODA's factory team ŠKODA Motorsport at full strength (Kopecký & Dresler and Hänninen & Markkula). The list of drivers to appear in Ireland also includes the reigning IRC champion and leader of the current IRC standings Andreas Mikkelsen of ŠKODA UK Motorsport.
