RallyScotland winner clinches titleposted in RSCOT05 | 11 | 2011

RALLYSCOTLAND WINNER Andreas Mikkelsen powered his Skoda UK Fabia S2000 to victory in Cyprus to clinch the Intercontinental Rally Championship.

The 22-year-old Norwegian, who began his season by ripping the wheel off his Skoda just 250-metres into the start of the opening event in Monte Carlo, finished the season with back-to-back wins.

"It's just unbelievable," a tearful Mikkelsen, who immediately leapt from his car to hug his mother, Petra, after posting the fastest time in the final stage to seal victory, said today.

"I'd come so close to winning rallies earlier in the year, but winning in Scotland was a massive step for me and proved that I could win at the highest level.

"Coping with the Scottish conditions and the pressures really boosted my confidence and to come to Cyprus, the final event of the year, and win the IRC title for Skoda UK is a dream come true."

Mikkelsen survived the treacherously dusty final stages to win by 1min 40secs ahead of his Skoda team-mate Jan Kopecky. Sweden's Patrik Sandell was third in another Skoda.

Ironically, Mikkelsen's IRC win came just 24 hours after it was confirmed that RallyScotland, accepted as being the jewel in the IRC crown, will not take place next year due to funding problems.

Skoda UK's Andreas Mikkelsen wins RallyScotland

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Jim McGill