Norwegian crew Ndreas Mikkelsen / Ola Floene started their Intercontinental Rally Challenge title deffense with victory. Skoda Motorsport UK competitors won rally Acores which was held in very bad weathr conditions on the Acores Islands.

Mikkelsen who is the 2011 IRC champion wasleading troughout the whole event. Andreas had 1.4 seconds advantage infront of the Skoda Motorsport driver Juho Hanninen after the first day. During day 2 the norwegian took 4 stage wins out of 6 and increased his lead to Hanninen to 16.2 seconds. Hanninen won one stage and stage 8 was cancel because of the bad weather conditions.

Despite the fact that in the remainig 5 stages he didn't have to take any risks, Mikkelsen set a very good pace and won another 4 stages which increased the gap between him and Hanninen to 25.1 seconds.

Third overal in rally Acores finished the Peugeot diver Bryan Bouffier and his co-driver Xavier Panseri, who had no chance to fight with the Skoda drivers and took 15 points from the first round of IRC.

In the Production class the victory was for the portuguese driver Ricardo Moura with Mitsubish Lancer Evo IX, who didn't leave his rivals any chances. One of the main rivals for the title in this class is the italian driver Mrco Tmpestini (Subaru Impreza R4) retired from the rally in day 2 and didn't score any championship points on the acores Islands.

In the 2WD class, Harry Hunt with Citroen DS3 R3T crashed in day 2 and left the victory to the local driver Paulo Maciel with Citroen Saxo VTS.

Next round of Intercontinental Rally Challenge is the tarmac rally El Corte Ingles - which will take plece on the Canary Island from 15th to 17th of March.

Final classification in rally Acores, first round of 2012 IRC series: