Deffending IRC champion Andreas Mikkelsen is ready for the forthcoming tarmac battles with his rivals. The norwegian Skoda UK driver started his 2011 title deffense with victory in Rally Acores and became the first driver in the series history to win three events in a row.

Rally Islas Canarias is the next series event and it's all tarmac rally which will take place on the Canary Islands this month.

Mikkelsen is still missing an IRC victory on tarmac but he said he is ready to fiaght both on tarmac and gravel.

In the IRC calendar for this year are present 13 rallies 10 of which are on tarmac and Canary Islands event is the first tarmac test for the crews. With the tarmac rallies dominating in the championship it's the crews performance on this surface that will decde the championship title.

"In two weeks we will start on the Canary Islands and this will be the first tamrac event - said the 22 year old Skoda UK driver. If we made it to the podium on this event I'll be very happy. I don't prefer gravel rallies anymore, I like drving on tarmac too."

Last year Mikkelsen and his co-driver Ola Flaone finished sixth overall in Islas Canarias and this position brought them their first points for the season.

Rally Islas Canarias will be held form 15th ti 17th of March.