The new Skoda Fabia R5 also excited the experienced rally driver Jan Kopecky . After a historic double in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) and Asia Pacific Championship (APRC) titles, the development of a new rally special is the next challenge for the 33-year-old driver. Skoda Motorsport factory driver Kopecký and his co-driver Pavel Dresler are important members of the test team.
" Many engineers from different countries work perfectly together in a very good team at Skoda. I am convinced that our guys will once again send a first-class rally special to the track. My experience with the new Fabia R5 has been very positive so far, " says Jan Kopecký . Just around the time of his 33rd birthday on January 28, he tested the new hope of the Skoda brand on various tracks. Further tests behind the wheel of the new Fabia R5 are scheduled for the following days and weeks across Europe.
In accordance with FIA regulations , the new competition car is equipped with a 1.6 liter turbo engine. The strong acceleration of the all-wheel drive car excited Kopecky: " It's a great pleasure to drive a brand new car with a powerful turbo engine. Of course I have to adapt my driving style as it is a change from the Fabia S2000's two-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine after all. The Fabia S2000 is the most successful competition car in the 114-year history of Skoda motorsport, in which Kopecký also achieved his historic triumphs.
The European title in 2013 was followed by the crown in the Continental Asia-Pacific Championship last year. " It was two grandiose years. The highlight was without a doubt 2014, during which we could gather valuable experience on the gravel road between Australia and China. In an important market for the Skoda brand, China , Kopecký/Dresler completed the brand's impeccable record in the APRC, taking six wins in six races, completing a hat-trick of titles for the Skoda brand.
In the first half of the year, the development of the new Fabia R5 is at the center of Jan Kopecky's plans. The new rally special, built on the basis of the production Fabia model, is already attracting a lot of interest from customers. The homologation of the Skoda Fabia R5 by the World Motor Federation FIA is planned for mid-2015. Kopecký, who drove for the Skoda Motorsport team for the first time a decade ago, is already looking forward to the new, homologated car: " The new Fabia R5 has all the prerequisites for to continue the successful history of the Skoda brand in motorsport ."
Source: Skoda Motorsport
