Schie to do five WRC events.

Three-time Norwegian Rally champion, Thomas Schie has confirmed that he will take in five events in the FIA World Rally Championship this season, using a 2003-spec Ford Focus WRC car.

Schie plans to do both the winter WRC events in Sweden and Norway next month, as well as doing the Rallye Deutschland in August, the Rallye de Espana in October and the Wales Rally GB, which comes right at the end of the year, running from November 30-December 2. In addition he will also go for his fourth title in succession in Norway, beginning his native campaign this Saturday, when he takes in the Mountain Rally Norway.

"My aim is of course to win the [Norwegian] championship again," said Schie. "But I know it will be hard. We have some young challengers like Mads Ostberg and Anders Grondal - both in Subarus, so I have to be focused and stay on the road in all seven rounds of the championship."

Schie meanwhile began his preparations for the first event in the Norwegian Rally Championship on Thursday, testing his re-built 2003-spec Ford Focus WRC car close to Gol. The car had to be sent back to M-Sport's base in the UK after Schie and co-driver, Goran Bergsten crashed heavily on the Neste Rally Finland back in August.

"The car felt very good," he added. "It was snowing when we drove and conditions were a little difficult, but it could be the same on Saturday, so that will all be good experience."