Skoda might not be the first name that springs to mind when discussing rallying, lacking the extensive list of world titles like Lancia and Citroen or engaging in memorable rivalries like Mitsubishi and Subaru. It hasn’t maintained a constant presence at the sport’s pinnacle like Ford or revolutionized the game like Audi.
Nonetheless, what sets Skoda apart is its unwavering dedication to the sport. In 2024, the manufacturer proudly marks its 25th year of fielding cars in the World Rally Championship as the new season kicks off with the Monte Carlo Rally.
Cast your mind back to the same event in 1999, where the debut of the first Skoda WRC car, the Octavia, took place. In an era of significant manufacturer involvement, Octavia faced stiff competition, and though it didn’t emerge as a front-runner, Skoda’s commitment was evident.
Despite running only half of the 14 rounds that year, the team managed to secure a total of six points. The Octavia remained in action until midway through the 2003 season, achieving its best result with Armin Schwarz clinching third place at the 2001 Safari Rally.
Even with the subsequent switch to the more agile Fabia, the WRC performance didn’t see a substantial improvement.
The Fabia WRC, in fact, faced tougher challenges, with the factory team’s best finish being sixth in Corsica in 2005. Ultimately, Skoda withdrew from the top class of the WRC at the end of that season.
Although privately-run Fabias showed some improvement in 2006 and 2007, a single podium in seven years underscored that Skoda’s foray into the highest echelons of WRC wasn’t deemed a success.
However, the story doesn’t end there. The World Rally Championship has more to offer than just the premier category. In the tier just below it – analogous to Formula 2 in mudslinging, four-wheel drive form – lies WRC-2 and its precursor, the Super 2000 World Rally Championship.
Skoda returned to this second-tier category in 2009, opting for various versions of the third-generation Fabia. The results were markedly different, as the Skoda factory team secured the championship each year from 2015 to 2019, with private entries running Fabias adding a few more titles in subsequent years.
Looking ahead to 2024, the latest iteration – the Fabia Rally2, introduced the previous year – is gearing up once again for WRC-2 with a renewed emphasis on sustainability. It runs on carbon-neutral fuel and incorporates certain biocomposite parts.
What truly stands out is Skoda’s enduring commitment to rallying, particularly at the grassroots level. Delving into the ’90s reveals formidable lower-tier performances by cars like the Felicia and Favorit during the Group A era.
Even further back, the underappreciated underdog, the rear-engined 130 LR, managed to outperform more powerful Group B machinery thanks to its simple, rugged nature. Perhaps, in the pantheon of great rallying names, Skoda deserves a closer examination for its enduring legacy.