Martin Kangur plans to capitalise on the confidence he gained by winning five stages in the IRC 2WD Cup section of Barum Czech Rally Zlín last season when he returns to the event this year.
Kangur, from Estonia, heads Honda Racing’s effort on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge counter, which features 15 all-asphalt stages from 31 August-2 September.
“I know most of the stages from last year but this time some will be driven in the opposite direction so we’ve had to alter our pacenotes,” said Kangur, who will pilot a Honda Civic Type R alongside Russian co-driver Andres Ots. “In 2011 I was the fastest five times so I am confident I can put in a great performance and fight again for the victory in the IRC 2WD Cup.”
Kangur, who took IRC 2WD Cup honours on the Geko Ypres Rally in June, finished sixth in the two-wheel-division in Czech Republic last year. He will be one of more than 10 Honda drivers competing in Zlín with local Roman Martinec among those set to impress.
Like IRC 2WD Cup rival, the Renault Mégane RS driver Robert Consani, Kangur hopes to take advantage of title leader Harry Hunt’s absence from Zlín. The Briton has included the event on his schedule for 2012.