The Barum Czech Rally Zlin provided perfect conditions to test the Hankook Opel Corsa in competition with Norwegian rally ace Andreas Mikkelsen at the wheel.

Changeable weather conditions gave the MSD prepared car the toughest of asphalt tests on the event – a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, the championship the car will contest next year.

Hankook Motorsport manager Mike Patterson said that Mikkelsen was the perfect test driver for the team. “The aim for the weekend was to get the car to the finish and give MSD valuable development time in rally conditions.’’

A minor electrical problem caused some time loss towards the end of the first full day of rallying but the car was on top form for the final day of competition when Mikkelsen was comfortably setting times within the top 15.

“The weather was a challenge for many of the teams but suited us perfectly and enabled us to ensure the car performs as well in the wet as it does in the dry,’’ said Mike.

For 20 year old Mikkelsen and co-driver Ola Fløene, the rally provided the opportunity to acclimatise to the Corsa and learn more about the S2000 car.

David Whitehead, managing director of MSD said he was delighted with the weekend – and the chance to pit the Corsa against the established S2000 machinery. “Our plan this year is to have time to develop the car on a variety of events and the Barum Rally was an integral part of these plans,’’ he said.

“Andreas did a fantastic job for us with a mature drive which gave us the opportunity to test a number of settings on the car and he put in some impressive times as the rally progressed.’’

Later this year the team is set to contest events in Spain, San Remo and Scotland ahead of a full assault in the IRC in 2010.

“The mix of rallies chosen for 2009 will give the team valuable experience on both asphalt and gravel surfaces and ensure maximum opportunity for tyre development before the 2010 season gets underway,’’ said Mike from Hankook.