Author: Tony Tellier tellier@mindspring.com 4/30/08 @ 6:13 PM

WRC -- RIGHT ON

“Pocket rocket.”  “Sticks like glue.”  “Goes like stink.”  Want more cliches?  Can do: “Cuter ‘n’ a speckled pup”. 

Škoda WRC “Octivia” At Full Song

All are apt, as works driver Matthais Kahle’s Škoda “Octavia” does all these things, and more.  Deceivingly small – a Challanger-sized 99-inch wheelbase coupled with 2,712 pounds of monocoque … the 5-valved, DOHC EFI Garrett-turbo-ed 2-liter’s 330 bhp makes for a quick ride, indeed; exhaust flames included.  Engine management is from Italy’s own “Gio Lucas” – a Magneti-Marelli “Step 9” brain box.  In 1990, Škoda became part of the VW conglomerate.

Blessed with a surprisingly-broad power curve ... the 370 foot-pounds at a low 3,250 rpm … it eases the driver’s job, according to Martin: “When I stopped really spinning it and short-shifted, it went even faster.”  The full-time four-wheel drive has electronically-controlled front and center diffs, while the rear is a spool.  The torque is delivered 50-50, front-rear. 

What is particularly deceptive is that the little car appears to be busy, bouncy, to the observer but from the inside it is all stable in three axes, rock solid, and quiet: turbos steal the “music” of a “full song”.  The suspension … certainly not intended for San Felipe powerline sand whoops … really works within its design element and sticks the four-slammable-doors to the ground … even after some air: there is zero rebound.  The front and rear swaybars are adjustable for the cockpit, which has windows on all corners and sides. 

Martin – argueably a quick study – caught on right away and said, “The car is easy to drive.  It rails the corners.” 

It was not scary-fast in any spot but never stupid-slow, either, just quick and nimble everywhere.  The 14-inch six-puck front stoppers are water-cooled; pretty cool.  Although it was tough to tell if he ever used the brakes; the engine seemed to do all the work.

Lausitz Lookie-Lous

The professorial-appearing Matthais kept the hammer down and the power on as he rowed the long lever controlling the sequential non-synchro six speed; a microswitch cuts the power momentarily for jammer shifts.  Getting into gear after a stop sounds just like an old Fortin: “Crunch!” 

A totally aggressive driving style produces positive results in spades: “Put your best (Michelin 20x65/18) wheel sideways,” as they say in the “World of Outlaws” world.  Backing the thing into the corners produces a lot of lateral Gs and forward acceleration; the helmet-supporting “wings” on the Recaro seats get used and takes some getting used to, however Martin might look into that. 

Baja Meets Boleslav

Armin (L) and Matthais After The Shoot-Out

The Czech factory-built Škoda would be something to see, indeed, on the roads into and out of Ojos.  Armin Schwarz said that that section to Tres Hermanos is easily his favorite section in the Baja: “It is like a rough rally stage!”

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Author: Tony Tellier tellier@mindspring.com 4/30/08 @ 6:13 PM