Interwetten Racing has entered a wide variety of series over the years – and they are looking to turn their rally program into a full-time effort in the Intercontinental Rally Challenege.
Franz Wittmann has competed in select events this season with a Peugeot 207, and after some disappointing results is looking for a better second half the year – starting with Rally Germany in a few weeks time.
“This WRC run in the area of Trier features only tarmac surface,” he said. “This is an important preparation for me for the next IRC run, the Barum Rally. The important part for me is to be able to do extensive testing on tarmac with the team. This schedule is not only important for the Germany-assignment but mainly for our participation in the Barum Rally.”
After retirements in Monte Carlo, Canary Islands and Sardinia, plus missing Ypres and Azores, the team needs to prepare as much as possible for the Czech event to try and finally record a good finish.
“We naturally hope that Franz will get the car across the finishing line in Germany undamaged and thereby will gather a lot of important testing kilometres,” said team principal Ronny Leschhorn. “After all, he feels at home in Germany since he already won the National Championship Rally Vogelsberg this year.”
With only four days between the end of Rally Germany and the start of the Barum Rally, any mishaps during the Trier event could have terrible consequences for the following week – but Leschhorn insists they can deal with any troubles that come their way.
“A further advantage [to this programme] is the fact that our factory, the city of Trier and the Barum Rally are not too far apart. Thus it would even be possible to get a grip on arising problems in time.”
Budget constraints aside, Interwetten plan to complete the IRC season, which means they will travel to Sanremo, Scotland and Cyprus before the year is out.
