Czech fans of motor sports can look forward to a real treat next weekend. SKODA will send its two factory crews to the start of the 42nd Rally Český Krumlov (May 2-3). In addition to the European champions Jan Kopecky and Pavel Dresler , who this season will mainly compete in the Asia-Pacific Championship (APRC), the leading crew of the European Championship (ERC), Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm in the Fabia Super 2000 car, will also take part in the South Bohemian Asphalt Rally.
" The Český Krumlov Rally is a home competition for us and therefore an exceptional event," says Luboš Vlček, head of the SKODA sales organization in the Czech Republic . "Enthusiasm for motorsport and our factory team is extremely high in the Czech Republic . That is why we are pleased to be able to send our two top crews to the start of this competition."
Kopecký , who won this rally in 2012 with a Fabia Super 2000 , is looking forward to the start in his homeland. "This year, the main challenge for us is the APRC championship," says last year's European champion Jan Kopecký . "We will enjoy the opportunity to introduce ourselves to the home fans all the more. Both Pavel and I have good memories of Rally Český Krumlov, we won there the year before. And we will do everything to be able to stand at the very top of the podium again this year."
Esepekka Lappi will also start in Český Krumlov with the same goal. "Of course we want to win. In addition, it is a great opportunity for us to gain more experience on asphalt tracks," says Esapekka Lappi . Lappi won the " Circuit of Ireland Rally " at Easter and arrives in the city of 13,000 above the Vltava as the leader of the European Championship classification. "Starting in the home country of the SKODA brand is always a great experience for Janne and me. Enormous enthusiasm for this sport can be felt everywhere."
After the start of the rally on Friday afternoon, the crews have seven special stages with a total length of 72.32 kilometers. The last three special stages on Friday will be held after dark and thus represent an extraordinary challenge. After a short night, the competition continues on Saturday morning. The crews then have to complete another 96.78 kilometers, divided again into seven special stages.
SKODA has already been successful in Český Krumlov 14 times
SKODA has entered the book of rally winners around the South Bohemian city fourteen times, twice with the Fabia Super 2000 . In 2011, the five-time champion of the Czech Republic Roman Kresta won here with co-driver Petr Gross . A year later, the Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler crew did the same, who won in the city above the Vltava on their way to the first joint title of national champions.
Source: Skoda Motorsport
