Kopecký dominates Europe’s best in the SKODA Fabia R5
› Commanding lead for ŠKODA works team Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler after Barum Czech Rally Zlín’s first leg
› Focus on the Czech Rally Championship (MČR) title
› "The car is working perfect once again"
Zlín, 29 August 2015 – A week after his triumph in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC 2), Jan Kopecký (CZ) in his ŠKODA Fabia R5 is also dominating Europe’s top drivers. After a commanding performance on home soil, the works driver and his co-driver Pavel Dresler (CZ) are the frontrunners for the final day of the 45th edition of Barum Czech Rally Zlín. With it, the guarantees of success for ŠKODA stay on track to win the title in the Czech Rally Championship (MČR). The fifth and penultimate race of the MČR season also forms a round of the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC).
"So far, our ERC guest appearance has been a lot of fun. Thousands of excited fans are lined up on the roads and we enjoy the beautiful yet demanding special stages. The car is working perfect once again. We hope for a good finish of the rally on Sunday," said Kopecký.
After his WRC 2 victory at Rally Germany, the 33-year-old quickly switched to driving on the narrow and bumpy roads in Moravia. With a win on the opening stage on Saturday the Czech rally hero took the overall lead and then left his opponents in the rearview mirror. At the end of the day he claimed wins on all eight special stages in his fabulous ŠKODA Fabia R5.
In his ŠKODA powerhouse, Kopecký kept his European opponents like current ERC leader Kajetan Kajetanowicz (PL) or runner-up Craig Breen (IRL) under control. Again, second-placed Václav Pech (CZ) was the main rival for the 2013 European champion and 2014 Asia Pacific Champion, who leads by 35.4 seconds ahead of Sunday’s six special stages. So far the ŠKODA veteran has won all four rounds in the Czech national championship in the new Fabia R5.
Crowd favourite Kopecký has claimed Barum Czech Rally Zlín victories in 2009, 2011 and 2013. Chances are good to continue this biennial rhythm.
The number for the Barum Czech Rally Zlín: 5
With five cars in the overall top 10, ŠKODA is the dominating brand after Barum Czech Rally Zlín’s first leg. In his ŠKODA Fabia R5 works driver Jan Kopecký is leading the rally followed by the Czech duo Pavel Valoušek and Jan Černý in P5 and P7 in the successful ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000. Dutchman Hermen Kobus is ninth in the ŠKODA Fabia R5. Antonin Tlusťák (CZ) is tenth.
Barum Czech Rally Zlín – Intermediate Result
1. Kopecký/Dresler (CZ/CZ), ŠKODA Fabia R5 1:21:30.2 hrs.
2. Pech/Uhel (CZ/CZ), Mini John Cooper Works S2000 + 0:35.4 min.
3. Kajetanowicz/Baran (PL/PL), Ford Fiesta R5 + 0:58.2 min.
4. Lukyanuk/Arnautov (BY/RUS), Ford Fiesta R5 + 1:30.4 min.
5. Valoušek/Havelková (CZ/CZ), ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 + 2:06.3 min.
Czech Rally Championship (MČR)
Event Date
Rally Šumava Klatovy 24.04.–25.04.2015
Rally Český Krumlov 22.05.–23.05.2015
Rally Hustopeče 19.06.–20.06.2015
Rally Bohemia 10.07.–12.07.2015
Barum Czech Rally Zlín 28.08.–30.08.2015
Rally Příbram 02.10.–04.10.2015
