“Congratulations on getting the win at the last minute! The most important thing is that our new Škoda Fabia R5 finished a whole rally without any problems once again. With competing in both the Czech Republic and our comeback in the World Rally Championship, this weekend is a real challenge for the whole team,” said Škoda Motorsport Director Michal Hrabánek.
In changeable weather conditions, the fans at the track experienced a thrilling duel on the narrow asphalt tracks of the 169.10 kilometers of special stages. Kopecký and his co-driver Pavel Dresler (CZ) initially took the lead in the overall standings on day one, before they were slowed down by damage to the rear left tyre on the sixth special stage. The Škoda duo lost 22.8 seconds to Václav Pech, who went into the final special stage with an advantage of 10.6 seconds. However, Pech made a mistake on the stage and Kopecký ended up winning with an advantage of 4.7 seconds over his rival.
“It’s fantastic to get the win again in the second race with the Fabia R5. It was a fantastic battle with a fantastic car, which thrilled the spectators. We drove fast, but without taking any excessive risks,” said Kopecký. The 33-year-old extended his lead in the overall standings, after he was victorious when the new Škoda Fabia R5 made its international rallying debut at the Rally Šumava Klatovy. “My new tool worked perfectly once again this time,” said Kopecký full of praise. The old hand was at the top of the results sheet on eight special stages at the Rally Český Krumlov.
After the successful home event, next up for Kopecký is a start in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC 2). The Czech will take the wheel of a Škoda Fabia R5 at the Rally Italy on Sardinia from 11 to 14 June. European Champion Esapekka Lappi (FIN) will also be in action. Kopecký, who last raced for Škoda in the WRC in 2007: “I’m really looking forward to this fascinating challenge on the world stage of rallying with the Škoda Fabia R5.” A week after that, Kopecký will continue his fight for the title in the Czech Rally Championship at the Rally Hustopeče.
With six cars in the top 10 of the overall standings, Škoda was the dominant brand at the Rally Český Krumlov. Alongside Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler in the new Fabia R5, Pavel Valoušek (CZ), Martin Vlček (CZ), Jan Černý (CZ) and Jan Jelínek (CZ) in the Fabia Super 2000 also made it into the top ten. Also, Karel Trněný (CZ) in the Škoda Fabia WRC finished in 10th.