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Rally Turkey: ŠKODA driver Jan Kopecký leads,
teammate Pontus Tidemand had to retire
› ŠKODA works crew Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler on top of WRC 2 category after day two of
Rally Turkey Marmaris, 10th round of the FIA World Rally Championship
› Teammates Pontus Tidemand/Jonas Andersson suffered punctures and had to retire on
the second day’s last stage with broken suspension
› With ŠKODA privateers Chris Ingram/Ross Whittock in second position, the Czech brand
enjoys double lead in WRC 2 category
› ŠKODA Motorsport boss Michal Hrabánek: “Jan kept the lead despite suffering punctures.
I feel sorry for Pontus, who had to retire.”
Marmaris, 14 September 2018 – ŠKODA works crews were initially dominating the WRC 2
category of the 10th round of the FIA World Rally Championship 2018, the Rally Turkey
Marmaris (13–16/09/2018). While Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (CZE/CZE) are still leading at the
end of day two despite collecting two punctures on their ŠKODA FABIA R5, teammates
Pontus Tidemand/Jonas Andersson (SWE/SWE) had to retire on Friday’s last stage. After
three punctures the reigning WRC 2 Champions ran out of spare wheels, finally the
suspension broke. With ŠKODA privateers Chris Ingram/Ross Whittock in second position,
the Czech brand still holds a double lead in WRC 2 category.
Right from the start, the battle for victory in WRC 2 category at Rally Turkey Marmaris was really
intense. On the opening show stage on Thursday evening in the streets of Marmaris, ten thousand
rally fans saw ŠKODA factory driver Jan Kopecký set the second quickest time just 1.4 seconds
ahead of teammate Pontus Tidemand. But the real rally started on Friday morning with the 38.10
kilometres “Cetebili” test, the longest stage of the event. All kind of gravel surfaces, fast passages
and narrow winding roads were waiting for the crews. “It was quite tricky, especially because there
was no wind at all. In some places, I was completely lost in the dust. No big push, as this rally is
really long.” Having said that, Jan Kopecký was just a blink of an eye, exactly 0.7 seconds, quicker
than Pontus Tidemand, who commented: “I was very careful in the beginning. The next stage
should be cleaner, so I will push on that one.”
After two stages, the gap between WRC 2 category leader Jan Kopecký and second placed Pontus
Tidemand stood at just 2.1 seconds. On the next stage the Czech Rally Champion set another
fastest time and increased his lead to nine seconds. One stage further, Pontus Tidemand fought
back and with his first fastest time reduced the gap to five seconds before the midday service rest
halt in Marmaris. The afternoon featured the repetition of the morning stages which were even
rougher now after the complete field had left ruts on the gravel roads and massive stones had been
dug out by the cars. As a precaution Tidemand changed the setup of his ŠKODA FABIA R5 for the
remaining three stages of the day.
Nevertheless, already the repetition of the 38 kilometres of “Cetibeli” saw both ŠKODA crews in
trouble. While Tidemand had to change one puncture on the stage, Kopecký suffered two flat front
tires which he had to change. Tidemand discovered at the end of the stage that he had an
additional slow puncture which as well he had to change. As a consequence, both ŠKODA works
drivers had to drive the two remaining stages of the day with no spare tires, because another
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puncture would lead to retirement. “Anything can happen any moment to anyone”, was Jan
Kopecký’s comment after the massive mishap. Although both crews lost a lot of time, Tidemand
kept the second place in the WRC 2 category standings, followed by teammate Kopecký by just
17.3 seconds while other competitors suffered from punctures as well. On the last stage of the day,
reigning WRC 2 Champion Tidemand collected another slow puncture and with no spare wheel left
and on top of that with a broken suspension, he had to retire from third place. Jan Kopecký,
knowing that another puncture could stop his race as well, drove sensitively for the remaining
kilometres of the day and reached the finish of the tough Friday leg holding the WRC 2 category
lead.
ŠKODA Motorsport boss Michal Hrabánek commented: “What a tough day! Jan kept the category
lead despite suffering punctures. I feel sorry for Pontus, who had to retire.”
Saturday (15 September) will feature six more stages over 134.20 kilometres. After overall 17 tests
totalling 317.25 kilometres, the winner will reach the podium in Marmaris on Sunday (16
September) at around 13h00.
Standings Rally Turkey Marmaris after Day 2 (WRC 2)
1. Kopecký/Dresler (CZE/CZE), ŠKODA FABIA R5, 2:02:53.8 h
2. Ingram/Whittock (GBR/GBR), ŠKODA FABIA R5, +16.3 sec.
3. Tempestini/Itu (ROM/ROM), Citroën C3 R5, +2:37.9 min.
4. Kajetanovicz/Szepaniak (POL/POL), Ford Fiesta R5, +3:28.5 min.
5. Heller/Olmos (CHL/CHL), Ford Fiesta R5, +5:02.1 min.
Number of the day: 4
On the six stages during the second day of Rally Turkey Marmaris, Jan Kopecký set four fastest
WRC 2 times.
The calendar of the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC 2)
Event Date
Monte-Carlo 24/01/–28/01/2018
Sweden 15/02/–18/02/2018
Mexico 08/03/–11/03/2018
France 05/04/–08/04/2018
Argentina 26/04/–29/04/2018
Portugal 17/05/–20/05/2018
Italy 07/06/–10/06/2018
Finland 26/07/–29/07/2018
Germany 16/08/–19/08/2018
Turkey 13/09/–16/09/2018
Great Britain 04/10/–07/10/2018
Spain 25/10/–28/10/2018
Australia 15/11/–18/11/2018
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Further information:
Zbyněk Straškraba, Communications Motorsport
P +420 605 293 168
zbynek.straskraba@skoda-auto.cz
http://skoda-motorsport.com
ŠKODA Motorsport:
YouTube
Media images:
ŠKODA at Rally Turkey Marmaris 2018
ŠKODA works crew Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (ŠKODA
FABIA R5) lead the WRC 2 category standings after day
two of Rally Turkey Marmaris
Download Source: ŠKODA AUTO
ŠKODA at Rally Turkey Marmaris 2018
Reigning WRC 2 Champions Pontus Tidemand/Jonas
Andersson (ŠKODA FABIA R5) had to retire after three
punctures and suspension issues
Download Source: ŠKODA AUTO
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ŠKODA Motorsport Overview
ŠKODA has been successful on the motorsport scene since 1901. Be it on the circuit or in rallies, ŠKODA has
celebrated victories and won titles all around the world. Historical highlights include winning the title in the FIA World
Rally Championship (WRC 2) for the first time in 2016, numerous title wins in the FIA European Rally Championship
(ERC), the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), as well as the
victory in the European Touring Car Championship in 1981. ŠKODA teams have also triumphed in the world’s oldest
and most famous rally, taking several class victories in the legendary Monte Carlo, which was first held in 1911.
The ŠKODA FABIA R5, a high-tech 4×4, was homologated by the International Automobile Federation FIA on 1 April
2015. ŠKODA’s new FABIA R5 is successfully continuing the long tradition of ŠKODA Motorsport. Its predecessor, the
FABIA SUPER 2000, won 50 national and international titles around the world. In the FIA World Rally Championship
(WRC 2) 2016, Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm (FIN/FIN) won the title for the Czech car maker. In total, ten of the 2016
season’s races in the World Rally Championship were won by a ŠKODA FABIA R5. ŠKODA drivers Gustavo Saba
(PRY) and Gaurav Gill (IND) also won the continental championships in South America and the Asia-Pacific region at
the wheel of the successful ŠKODA FABIA R5. Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT) was unbeatable in the Middle East Rally
Championship (MERC), while a further ten national titles also went the way of ŠKODA drivers.
2017 was the most successful year in the history of ŠKODA Motorsport. Works duo Pontus Tidemand/Jonas
Andersson (S/S) became WRC 2 Champions, ŠKODA Motorsport won the Team Championship. Jan Kopecký/Pavel
Dresler (CZ/CZ) won the Czech Rally Championship (MČR) for the third time in a row and are the spearhead of in total
14 crews winning their country’s national titles. Furthermore the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), the FIA
South American Rally Championship (CODASUR) and the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) have been won by
teams competing in a ŠKODA FABIA R5. In 2018 Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (CZ/CZ) managed to win the Czech Rally
Championship (MČR) for the fourth consecutive time.
ŠKODA AUTO
› is one of the longest-established vehicle manufacturers in the world. The company was founded in 1895 – during the
pioneering days of the automobile. Today, the company’s headquarters remain in Mladá Boleslav.
› currently offers the following models in the range: CITIGO, FABIA, RAPID, OCTAVIA, KAROQ, KODIAQ and
SUPERB.
› in 2017 delivered more than 1.2 million vehicles to customers worldwide.
› has belonged to Volkswagen Group since 1991. The Volkswagen Group is one of the most successful vehicle
manufacturers in the world. ŠKODA, in association with the Group, independently manufactures and develops
vehicles, as well as components, engines and gear transmissions.
› operates at three locations in the Czech Republic, produces in China, Russia, Slovakia, Algeria and India mainly
through Group partnerships, as well as in Ukraine and Kazakhstan through local partners.
› employs over 35,000 people globally and is active in more than 100 markets.
mailto:media.skoda-auto.com
Rally Turkey: ŠKODA driver Jan Kopecký leads, teammate Pontus Tidemand had to retire
› ŠKODA works crew Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler on top of WRC 2 category after day two of Rally Turkey Marmaris, 10th round of the FIA World Rally Championship
› Teammates Pontus Tidemand/Jonas Andersson suffered punctures and had to retire on the second day’s last stage with broken suspension
› With ŠKODA privateers Chris Ingram/Ross Whittock in second position, the Czech brand enjoys double lead in WRC 2 category
› ŠKODA Motorsport boss Michal Hrabánek: “Jan kept the lead despite suffering punctures. I feel sorry for Pontus, who had to retire.”
Marmaris, 14 September 2018 – ŠKODA works crews were initially dominating the WRC 2 category of the 10th round of the FIA World Rally Championship 2018, the Rally Turkey Marmaris (13–16/09/2018). While Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (CZE/CZE) are still lea…
ŠKODA Motorsport boss Michal Hrabánek commented: “What a tough day! Jan kept the category lead despite suffering punctures. I feel sorry for Pontus, who had to retire.”
ŠKODA has been successful on the motorsport scene since 1901. Be it on the circuit or in rallies, ŠKODA has celebrated victories and won titles all around the world. Historical highlights include winning the title in the FIA World Rally Championship (…
The ŠKODA FABIA R5, a high-tech 4×4, was homologated by the International Automobile Federation FIA on 1 April 2015. ŠKODA’s new FABIA R5 is successfully continuing the long tradition of ŠKODA Motorsport. Its predecessor, the FABIA SUPER 2000, won 50 …
› is one of the longest-established vehicle manufacturers in the world. The company was founded in 1895 – during the pioneering days of the automobile. Today, the company’s headquarters remain in Mladá Boleslav.
› currently offers the following models in the range: CITIGO, FABIA, RAPID, OCTAVIA, KAROQ, KODIAQ and SUPERB.
› in 2017 delivered more than 1.2 million vehicles to customers worldwide.
› has belonged to Volkswagen Group since 1991. The Volkswagen Group is one of the most successful vehicle manufacturers in the world. ŠKODA, in association with the Group, independently manufactures and develops vehicles, as well as components, engine…
› operates at three locations in the Czech Republic, produces in China, Russia, Slovakia, Algeria and India mainly through Group partnerships, as well as in Ukraine and Kazakhstan through local partners.
› employs over 35,000 people globally and is active in more than 100 markets.
ŠKODA at Rally Turkey Marmaris 2018
ŠKODA at Rally Turkey Marmaris 2018
