The new ŠKODA Fabia R5 enjoyed a stunning start with a commanding victory on its debut at the Rally Šumava Klatovy at the end of April. Thousands of fans cheered on the newly-developed racing car on its impressive first rally outing. The next challenge now awaits the ŠKODA team. ŠKODA Motorsport Director Michal Hrabánek: “The debut of the new Fabia R5 could hardly have gone better. We are on the right track.”
Asia-Pacific champion Kopecký cannot wait for the Rally Český Krumlov after the dream debut with the new Fabia R5: “The first race was superb. The Fabia R5 was fast and totally reliable. We are confident that we can be among the front-runners at the Rally Český Krumlov too. We will use the rally to continue to perfect the set-up of the Fabia R5.”
The Asia-Pacific champion has fond memories of the Rally Český Krumlov: Kopecký won here with co-driver Pavel Dresler in 2012. The iconic event starts on Friday in České Budějovice and ends 14 special stages and 161.92 kilometres of asphalt later on Saturday in the historic city of Český Krumlov.
One particular challenge for the ŠKODA works team is that the rally in South Bohemia coincides with the debut of the Fabia R5 in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC2 category. European champion Esapekka Lappi (FIN) and the talented Pontus Tidemand (S), who signed for ŠKODA recently, will be at the wheel of the new ŠKODA Fabia R5 in Portugal.
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
Did you know …
… the Rally Český Krumlov is being staged for the 43rd time this weekend? At the inaugural event in 1971, a certain Mr Janouch (CZ) claimed the first of many victories for ŠKODA in the legendary 1100 MB.
… the Rally Český Krumlov is the only Czech rally in the FIA European Rally Trophy? This series comprises 14 races throughout Europe.
… sections of the route at the Rally Český Krumlov are run on roads, which are used for skiing in the winter? The “Lipno” stage, which the competitors tackle twice on Saturday, is both the highest and the final stage of the rally.
… the side programme for the Rally Český Krumlov features many different events? Fans can also look forward to rally competitions with vintage cars and cars with alternative power units, a rally legend show, and races with radio-controlled cars.
… the rally service park is located in the České Budějovice exhibition centre? The largest city in South Bohemia, with a population of 93,000, is known around the world as the home of Budweiser beer.
150520 Home race number two for the new ŠKODA Fabia R5 at the Rally Český Krumlov
