Cais, a former downhill mountain bike racer, becomes one of the first drivers to take delivery of Škoda Motorsport’s hotly-anticipated new car. He is set to debut the machine at next year’s season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo (19 - 22 January).
The Czech youngster will then tackle events in Croatia, Portugal, Sardinia, Finland and Greece before rounding out his campaign at the Central Europe Rally - an all-new three-country fixture which takes place across Cais’ homeland as well as Germany and Austria.
Cais is no stranger to FIA World Rally Championship action. On his debut in Spain last year, the 23-year-old impressed by finishing third in the premier support category with a Ford Fiesta Rally2.
He also won the WRC2 Junior category at this year’s Rallye Monte-Carlo and set some impressive times in Croatia, Portugal and Italy.
"I have spent the last three seasons behind the steering wheel of the Fiesta Rally2 and I already have enough experience with the four-wheel drive car,” Cais said of his plans. "The new Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 will be the key to success.
“We have the technical support of Škoda Motorsport at our disposal and I am very much looking forward to starting with the new car. We are representatives of the Czech Autoclub AČR and the Czech Republic, so I am happy to drive a Czech car.
"In addition, thanks to the inclusion of the Central Europe Rally in the WRC, we will have the opportunity to show ourselves in front of the home fans," he added.
Orsák Rallysport will service the car, with team principal Jaroslav Orsák adding that his squad hopes to give Cais plenty of time behind the wheel ahead of the opening round.
"We want to manage a two-day test before the Christmas holidays so Erik can get to know the new Fabia RS Rally2," he explained.
"The mechanics will then disassemble the whole car to learn how to work with it and know where to go when needed. In January, we have another two-day test scheduled before the opening event at WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo."
In addition to his WRC commitments, Cais will also contest at least five rounds of the FIA European Rally Championship.
Finland
Italy
Hungary