François Delecour is highly satisfied after the first road test of the iconic French Kit-Car, following a total rebuild by Andrea Zivian’s IKE Racing team.
After a successful Pre-Event Test (PET) ahead of the Historic Vltava Rallye, the program for the FIA European Historic Rally Championship (EHRC) in the “Pre-2000” category is officially underway, featuring a new partnership with Michelin.
| Reggio Emilia, April 18, 2026 |
| An intense day of testing in lower Piedmont has finalized the setup for the 306 Maxi IKE. Completely rebuilt by IKE Racing and driven by the expert hands of François Delecour -with Fabrice Gordon as codriver – the car is ready for its return to top-tier historic competition in the FIA European Historic Championship Pre-2000 cat. Backed by a new Michelin tyre partnership, the team heads to the Vltava Rally (CZ) with clear sights on the podium. The test confirmed the strength of this winning combination. IKE Racing has reunited the agile Peugeot 306 with the legendary French driver, a man historically linked to the “Lion” brand and Clermont-Ferrand tyres. The 1993 World Rally Vice-Champion was extremely pleased with the set-up and tyre solutions used to evaluate performance, reliability, and the car’s limit during its first real outing after months of development in the workshop. Delecour commented at the end of the session: “We’ve worked hard with IKE, and today the car shows major improvements across the board. The engine, chassis, and suspensions have all seen significant evolutionary steps. The new seven-speed gearbox and differentials have massively boosted traction. The driveability is exceptional – it feels like a modern car. Today we focused heavily on the Michelin tyres, making compound comparisons to find the best match for the set-up and road surface. We now have the optimal solution for the Czech Republic.” “I’m thrilled about this new challenge in the European Historic Championship. For me, it’s a special homecoming; I was a factory Peugeot driver with this car and won the French title. I’m not here just to make up the numbers – I’m here to fight for the win.“ IKE Racing owner and driver Andrea “ZIPPO” Zivian has poured immense passion and investment into the restoration of this 306 Maxi (chassis #90, ex-Salanon). He worked with top-tier partners for over three years to bring it back to its former glory, just as FIA regulations opened the EHRC doors to this category. Zivian is optimistic following the intense test session: “We pushed the car to the limit and got great feedback on both reliability and performance. The rally will be the final judge, but we are confident. Along with our long-term partners, we now have the support of Michelin for tyres – a strategic choice to ensure consistent performance on any surface -. We also welcome TOTAL Energies, HRX for technical racing gear, Assetto Corsa for our gaming debut, and Fusina for the seats, harnesses, and steering wheel. These are industry leaders who believe in our project and we want to reward their faith with results.”” Next Stop: Historic Vltava Rallye (CZ) The real competition begins soon at the Historic Vltava Rallye (April 24-26) on the fast asphalt stages of the Czech Republic. This second round of the FIA EHRC 2026 features 11 special stages totaling 154.27 km of competitive sections. The action starts Friday, April 24, at 4:45 PM in Klatovy, with the final podium ceremony on Sunday at 1:50 PM. ________________________________________ Photos: The 306 Maxi IKE Racing in official livery with the Delecour / Gordon crew and the duo in action during the test . Contacts: IKE Racing Communication & Press Anna Canata +39 335 5810584 | press@ikeracing.com Technical Info & Rental services Andrea Zivian +39 324 6650055 | zippo@ikeracing.com |
