The number of Super 2000 variants contesting the Sata Rally Azores in May looks set to grow after the René Georges Rally Sport squad confirmed it was planning to enter a Volkswagen Polo on the island event.

Designed by Volkswagen's distributor in South Africa, the car has been developed by René Georges' eponymous team in Belgium over the last couple of seasons and made its debut in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge in 2007.

Jack de Keizjer, the team co-ordinator, revealed he was confident at least one car would compete in the Azores with a second entry being planned for the Ypres Rally in Belgium in June.

"We are talking to some drivers at the moment but we cannot say exactly who for at least one week," de Keizjer said. "The plan is to do between five and six rallies with one car in Azores and then a second car in Ypres."

René Georges' team has subjected the Polo to extensive development over the winter and has prioritised enhancing the engine and suspension.

"It is not easy because we are only a private team against many big factory teams but we believe in this car and we are confident we can be in the top five when we come back to the IRC," said de Keizjer.

Andreas Waldherr could combine a programme of Intercontinental Rally Challenge events with his domestic championship campaign in Austria.

Waldherr, 40, will pilot the Volkswagen Polo Super 2000, previously driven by Bernd Casier in the IRC, on the remaining six rounds of this year's Austrian championship, starting with the Lavanttal Rallye on March 27/28.

The car is one of two owned by Volkswagen Motorsport Austria, which has combined forces with the Belgian René Georges Rally Sport operation.

"We will provide technical support to Volkswagen Motorsport Austria in their challenge for the 2009 Austrian Rally Championship and two of our team members will be on all Austrian rallies," said René Georges Rally Sport team co-ordinator Jack de Keizjer.

"We are progressing with the car all of the time and doing our best to improve the power of the engine and the handling. Andreas is one of the favourites for the title this year and will have a strong challenge against the Skoda Fabia Super 2000 of Raimund Baumschlager."

Although Waldherr has yet to commit to any IRC events, de Keizjer added: "It is also possible he will compete on some rallies outside of Austria, including some selected IRC rounds."

If Waldherr join the IRC, he would double the Austrian representation in the series: Franz Wittmann Jr is contesting seven events in an Interwetten Racing Mitsubishi Lancer E9.