From WRC.com
Former Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen faces yet another brand new challenge when he goes head-to-head with multiple trials champion Taddy Blazusiak during this weekend’s Erzberg rodeo in Austria.
While Taddy will be on his usual KTM trials bike, fellow Red Bull athlete Kimi will race him in the Citroen C4 WRC that the Finn uses in this year’s World Rally Championship.
The gravel course measures 13 kilometres in length and runs up a mountainside quarry. Around 1500 riders will be in action during the weekend and the showdown between Raikkonen and Pole Blazusiak serves as the prelude to the Red Bull Hare Scramble bike race, which attracts in the region of 30,000 spectators.
Raikkonen and Blazusiak’s faceoff is a straightforward race from start to finish, and plenty of pride is at stake because the loser will have to wash the winner’s vehicle. Kimi has never been scared to push himself to the limit, but the challenge he has set himself this time is an awesome one, as Taddy has been the Scramble champion for the past three years running.
Kimi, by contrast, has contested only five World Championship rallies at the wheel of his Citroen C4 WRC. As usual, he will be co-driven by fellow Finn Kaj Lindstrom, while Taddy will tackle the course on his own.
“It should be a really interesting experience, although I really don’t know what to expect,” said Raikkonen.
“I love bikes and I’ve got a few of my own, so I’m really looking forward to meeting Taddy and seeing the action. One thing I don’t enjoy though is washing bikes, so I have to make sure that I win! Seriously though, it’s going to be a nice challenge and I really don’t know who can be quickest. I suppose it depends on what the course is like. I’ve seen some videos and it looks awesome. We’re going to have a lot of fun this weekend...”
Former Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen faces yet another brand new challenge when he goes head-to-head with multiple trials champion Taddy Blazusiak during this weekend’s Erzberg rodeo in Austria.
While Taddy will be on his usual KTM trials bike, fellow Red Bull athlete Kimi will race him in the Citroen C4 WRC that the Finn uses in this year’s World Rally Championship.
The gravel course measures 13 kilometres in length and runs up a mountainside quarry. Around 1500 riders will be in action during the weekend and the showdown between Raikkonen and Pole Blazusiak serves as the prelude to the Red Bull Hare Scramble bike race, which attracts in the region of 30,000 spectators.
Raikkonen and Blazusiak’s faceoff is a straightforward race from start to finish, and plenty of pride is at stake because the loser will have to wash the winner’s vehicle. Kimi has never been scared to push himself to the limit, but the challenge he has set himself this time is an awesome one, as Taddy has been the Scramble champion for the past three years running.
Kimi, by contrast, has contested only five World Championship rallies at the wheel of his Citroen C4 WRC. As usual, he will be co-driven by fellow Finn Kaj Lindstrom, while Taddy will tackle the course on his own.
“It should be a really interesting experience, although I really don’t know what to expect,” said Raikkonen.
“I love bikes and I’ve got a few of my own, so I’m really looking forward to meeting Taddy and seeing the action. One thing I don’t enjoy though is washing bikes, so I have to make sure that I win! Seriously though, it’s going to be a nice challenge and I really don’t know who can be quickest. I suppose it depends on what the course is like. I’ve seen some videos and it looks awesome. We’re going to have a lot of fun this weekend...”