ENG: Škoda Official MotorSport news

[Karlheinz]

Wiegand finishes home event in fourth place

› “A positive end and a lot of valuable experience”
› Next up: ŠKODA home event, Barum Czech Rally Zlín

Trier, Germany, 25 August 2013 – After a strong finish, the ŠKODA duo Sepp Wiegand and Frank Christian wrapped up Rally Germany in fourth place in the WRC 2 category. In the final stages of the last day, the top German drivers managed to move up one more place. Overnight, the ŠKODA mechanics had had to repair the damage to the rear left wheel suspension.

“The rally came to a positive end for us and we gained a lot of valuable experience over the four days of Rally Germany. Obviously, we had hoped to secure a podium position in our home rally, but that just wasn’t possible after our accident on Saturday,” said 22-year-old Wiegand. His four-wheel drive Fabia S2000 was so damaged in the accident that it had to be towed back to the service park to be repaired.
Sepp Wiegand will be behind the wheel again this week, when he will be competing as part of the ŠKODA factory team for the first time in the Barum Czech Rally Zlín from 30 August to 1 September. The Czech car manufacturer’s home event will also be his first appearance in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC). “It’s just incredible. I’m really grateful for this opportunity and intend to do my best to make the most of it,” says Wiegand.

He will continue his pursuit of an overall podium finish in the WRC 2 category in Rally Spain from 24 to 27 October.

[Karlheinz]

Three ŠKODA teams compete for victory in home rally in the Czech Republic

› ŠKODA enters all its top drivers into rally around Zlín
› Local heroes Kopecký/Dresler hope to defend ERC lead
› Debut of Lappi/Ferm in the European rally series
› First start in the ŠKODA team for promising duo Wiegand/Christian
› As many as 300,000 fans expected to attend Barum Rally

Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, 27 August 2013 – ŠKODA is entering no less than three teams into its home rally in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC), in its pursuit of victory. The local heroes Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (CZ/CZ) intend to defend their overall lead in the highlight of the season, the Barum Czech Rally Zlín (30 August to 1 September). The fast Fin Esapekka Lappi and his co-driver Janne Ferm (FIN/FIN) will be making their debut in the European rally series. And the German duo Sepp Wiegand/Frank Christian (D/D) will be lining up for ŠKODA’s works team for the first time, straight after competing in Rally Germany.

“We will do everything we can to extend our string of successes: we want to fight it out for the win,” says Kopecký. “We’re really looking forward to the great atmosphere that the hundreds of thousands of fans, most of them from the Czech Republic, will create.” The more than 300,000 rally fans who attend every year have recently been treated to four ŠKODA victories in succession, while Kopecký is in with a chance of clinching his third win in the Barum Rally, after his previous victories in 2009 and 2011. So far, this ERC season has been something of a triumph for the 31-year-old in his Fabia Super 2000, as he currently has four wins and one second place under his belt after five events. And after his most recent win in Romania, the Czech Republic’s golden child of rallying is now at the top of the ERC leader board.

Kopecký can draw support in his mission for victory from two other ŠKODA duos: in addition to Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm, the promising German pairing of Sepp Wiegand and Frank Christian will also be competing for the works team of the Czech automobile manufacturer for the first time. “It’s just incredible. I’m really grateful for this opportunity and intend to do my best to make the most of it,” says Wiegand.

This year, Esapekka Lappi is competing in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) for ŠKODA, but also wants to show what he is capable of in the ERC for the first time, in the car make’s home rally. “This will be our first major asphalt rally. The standard of driving will be high and this rally will show us how fast we can be on this kind of surface,” says Lappi. The Barum Rally stages are anything but easy, alternating between high-speed stretches through forests and bumpy asphalt sections. In addition, the weather can often be very changeable. In all, the competitors will cover a distance of 721 kilometres over three days, with 15 special stages accounting for 234.78 kilometres.

There will also be plenty of excitement on offer for the fans away from the rally action at
the ŠKODA Motorsport Park in the heart of Zlín. The park, which measures 2,500 square
metres and is free to enter, features a diverse mix of sports activities, leisure
opportunities, concerts and a programme of kids’ entertainment. On the Friday, there will
also be an opportunity to meet the three ŠKODA drivers and get their autographs.

[Karlheinz]

Superb Kopecký secures ŠKODA’s fifth victory on home soil in a row

› Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler extend their lead in the ERC
› Third Barum success for Kopecký after 2009 and 2011 wins
› 1:01.6-minute advantage over second-placed Václav Pech
› Wiegand/Christian take fourth in works team début
› “Impressive performance from the ŠKODA works team”

Zlín, Czech Republic, 1 September 2013 – Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler (CZ/CZ) put in a superb performance to secure ŠKODA’s fifth success in a row at the home event Barum Czech Rally Zlín. After a flawless drive, the duo extended their lead in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) standings. Making their first appearance as ŠKODA works team drivers, the German pairing of Sepp Wiegand/Frank Christian (D/D) took an impressive fourth place. The third ŠKODA duo of Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm (FIN/FIN) was forced to retire following an accident on Saturday.

“That was an impressive performance from the ŠKODA works team in front of so many excited supporters. Special congratulations must go to Jan Kopecký, who is now a three-time winner here at Barum,” said Dr Frank Welsch, the head of Technical Development at ŠKODA. He was able to experience the effort the entire works team had put in first hand.

Kopecký also highlighted excellent teamwork as being the key to his success: “First of all, I’d like to thank the whole team – they did everything perfectly. I’m so happy. That is a big victory for ŠKODA and for us. The car was simply in perfect order.” The experienced Czech racing ace won nine of the fifteen stages, cruising home to his third victory at the Barum Rally after successes in 2009 and 2011. “On Sunday, I drove with safety in mind; I didn’t want to make the same mistakes from 2010, when I threw away victory.”

The 31-year-old’s successful campaign in the Fabia Super 2000 is showing no signs of stopping, having now picked up five race victories and a second-place finish from six starts in the ERC. The ŠKODA drivers have also increased their lead at the top of the ERC’s overall standings. Their triumph at the Barum Rally, which saw them enjoy a 1:01.6-minute advantage over Václav Pech (CZ) in the end, also counts towards the Czech Championship. Here, Kopecký enjoys a perfect race record with four victories from four starts.
German hopes were pinned on Sepp Wiegand, who could also be happy with his performance – he finished as the fastest non-Czech driver in his first appearance as a ŠKODA works team driver. “It was so much fun, but I also had difficulties adapting to theCzech asphalt runs. As a result, the most important thing was to get the car to the finish in one piece,” said Wiegand.

The next ERC rally event will be taking place from 13 to 15 September in Poland, where Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler will continue their assault for the title.

[Karlheinz]

Kopecký continues ERC title hunt for ŠKODA at the Rally Poland

› Five victories and a second place finish from six starts so far this season
› Big lead in the overall standings
› “We’re looking forward to the new challenge”

Mladá Boleslav, 9 September 2013 – With victory in the bag last time out on home soil at the Barum Rally, ŠKODA’s Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler (CZ/CZ) will be continuing their hunt for the title in Poland from next Friday. The Masurian Lake District will be the spectacular setting for the gravel-based Rally Poland taking place from 13 to 15 September – ŠKODA’s Czech racing duo will hope to continue their run of success there in the European Rally Championship (ERC) and wrap up the championship early.

“We’re both looking forward to the new challenge at the Rally Poland. Winning on home soil has given us an extra boost in confidence,” said Kopecký. The 31-year-old put in a flawless performance at the Barum Czech Rally Zlín to secure his fifth ERC triumph in a row for ŠKODA this season. At the same time, it was his third victory in front of a home crowd after successes in 2009 and 2011.

Driving the Fabia Super 2000, Kopecký and Dresler have recorded five victories and a second-place finish from six starts this season. The Czech pair currently sit 109 points ahead of their nearest rival in the ERC’s overall standings. Yet their focus is now solely trained on the upcoming rally in Poland: “When it comes to the number of spectators, Poland is a paradise for rally drivers just like the Czech Republic. The fans really love the sport. Gravel is a tricky surface, but we have already shown in the Azores and in Romania that we have what it takes to do well,” said Kopecký.

The gravel-based Rally Poland is one of the oldest rallying events in the world and will once again present a challenge to man and machine at its 70th anniversary. With the spectacular Masurian Lake District as the backdrop, the drivers will be faced with thirteen scenic stages covering over 230 kilometres around the town of Mikołajki. ŠKODA has a good record here: last year, Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm (FIN/FIN) won here for the Czech car manufacturer, which can boast 112 years of motor racing experience.

[Karlheinz]

Day one of two: Kopecký eyeing up a podium finish at the Rally Poland

› Just 5.1 seconds shy of a place on the podium
› Difficult conditions on sodden tracks after heavy rain
› “We have to drive carefully and put the overall standings first”

Mikołajki, 14 September 2013 – The ŠKODA duo Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler (CZ/CZ) are in fourth place after day one of the two-day Rally Poland and are eyeing up a podium finish. Conditions were extremely difficult on the tracks, which were sodden following heavy rain. Because of this, the team avoided all unnecessary risks to stay in the running for the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) title.

“Driving was incredibly difficult. The surface didn’t resemble gravel in the slightest. The routes are nothing but water and dirt – the track is full of ruts,” said Kopecký. Four of the seven Special Stages on day one – held on routes in the Masurian Lake District around Mikołajki – were shortened because of the rainfall. This didn’t stop more than 100,000 enthusiastic spectators from following the beginning of the 70th Rally Poland.

The track conditions were so bad they reminded co-pilot Dresler of the Dakar Rally. In spite of everything, the ŠKODA team kept their nerve and will go into day two just 5.1 seconds shy of third place. “We need to keep driving really intently and carefully and put the overall ERC standings first,” commented Kopecký. The experienced driver went into the Rally Poland with a 109-point lead. Another good result could help decide who will lift the trophy.

In their six events so far this season, Kopecký and Dresler have won five times and come second once with their Fabia Super 2000. The competitors face another six Stages covering 113.48 kilometres on day two in Poland.

[Karlheinz]

Third place in Poland: Kopecký remains on course for the title with ŠKODA

› Seventh podium finish in his seventh ERC start
› Kopecký and Dresler hold their nerves in difficult conditions
› “We made it through without making any mistakes“

Mikołajki, 15 September 2013 – Seventh start, seventh podium finish: Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler remain on course for the title in FIA European Rally Championship (ERC). In some of the worst possible conditions on a course made muddy after heavy rain fall, the Czech duo drove to a magnificent third place in the ŠKODA Fabia S 2000 during the seventieth Rally Poland.

“With one eye on the ERC title race and difficult conditions throughout, our first priority in the Rally Poland was to secure valuable points in the overall standings. This was achieved magnificently thanks to the disciplined driving of Kopecký and Dresler as well as a professional job on behalf of the whole team,“ according to Michal Hrabánek, the director of ŠKODA Motorsport.

Starting in fourth position after the first day of rallying, on Sunday Kopecký worked hard to try to move himself up a place in his first start in the long-standing Rally Poland since 2004. Even though the ŠKODA duo, with one eye on the overall ERC standings, didn’t go flat out over the demanding courses of the Masurian Lake District around Mikołajki, there was one stage win for the spectators to enjoy, of whom there were 200, 000 over the course of the weekend’s action.

“There was mud and water everywhere, as well as deep ruts. The risk for tire damage was enormous, but we made it through without making any mistakes,” Kopecký commented. This was enough for a podium finish after five victories and one second-place-finish in the previous round of the ERC season.
Kopecký retains a more than 100 point cushion over his nearest rival with three rallies of the season remaining. “We will start with Jan in the Rally Croatia, where we hope to make a further decisive step towards winning the ERC title,” Hrabánek added. The next rally in the ERC calendar will take place from 26 – 28 September.

[Karlheinz]

ERC title race: championship within reach in Croatia

› The 2013 European Rally Championship could have its winner with races to spare by the end of the 239.12 kilometres on the asphalt around Poreč
› ŠKODA works driver Jan Kopecký: “We want to score the points needed to win the championship”
› Seven podiums from seven ERC races so far for Kopecký/Dresler

Mladá Boleslav, 23 September 2013 – With five wins, a second and a third place from their seven ERC starts so far this year, ŠKODA works driver Jan Kopecký and his co-driver Pavel Dresler have set their sights on more points at this weekend’s 40th Rally Croatia in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC). The asphalt rally, which takes place around the coastal town of Poreč from 26th to 28th September, could see the two Czech drivers clinch this year’s ERC title with races to spare.

“After the rally in Poland, which was held in very difficult conditions with rain and mud, we are looking forward to the asphalt roads in Croatia. We want to score the points needed to win the championship,” said Kopecký. “As such, our strategy will be to drive quickly, but without taking any unnecessary risks.”
ŠKODA works driver Kopecký, who has earned himself the nickname “Mister Reliable” has finished on the podium at all seven of his ERC starts in the ŠKODA Fabia S2000. The remarkable list of successes in 2013 includes five overall victories for Kopecký/Dresler in Austria, on the Canary Islands, in the Azores, in Romania and in front of their home crowd at the Barum Rally Zlín. They also finished runner-up in Corsica and third at the most recent event in Poland.

The Rally Croatia poses a real challenge for Kopecký and Dresler: the 40th anniversary of the event features 239.12 kilometres over 14 special stages on asphalt that is well-known for being slippery. The rally headquarters for the weekend is the picturesque holiday location of Poreč on the Adriatic coast. The Rally Croatia has proven to be a happy stomping ground for ŠKODA: Finn and ŠKODA works driver at the time Juho Hänninen won there last year en route to the ERC title.

[Karlheinz]

ŠKODA works driver Kopecký crowned European Champion with races to spare

› Kopecký: “A dream come true”
› Icing on the cake, after a career featuring four runner-up finishes in the IRC
› Seven podiums in seven ERC races for ŠKODA duo Kopecký/Dresler
› In the lead at the end of day one at the Rally Croatia

Mladá Boleslav/Poreč, 27th September 2013 – ŠKODA rally driver Jan Kopecký and his co-driver Pavel Dresler have won the European Rally Championship* for ŠKODA with races to spare. Regardless of the outcome of the on-going Rally Croatia, at which the duo is currently in the lead at the end of day one, the Czech pair have already secured the titles in both the driver and co-driver competitions in the European Rally Championship (ERC).

Kopecký, driving a ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000, is the first Czech driver ever to win the European Rally Championship. “Winning the title is a dream come true for me. I would like to thank ŠKODA Motorsport and our fantastic team for the amazing work they have done this season,” said Kopecký, who now holds an unassailable lead in the Drivers’ Championship with two races to go.

After four second places in the International Rally Challenge (IRC) between 2009 and 2012, the European Championship title is the pinnacle of the 31-year-old driver’s motorsport career. Kopecký joins a host of rally legends to have won the ERC, including Germany’s Walter Röhrl and Italian Miki Biasion. Dresler is also certain of first place in the co-driver competition come the end of the season. “It is the icing on the cake at the end of a fantastic season in the ŠKODA and the highlight of my career,” said Dresler.

Team Boss Michal Hrabánek also regards winning the European Championship title as an outstanding success for the entire SKODA Motorsport team: “With the ERC title for Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler, we have claimed another major success for the ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 project. Our entire team has worked hard all year to achieve this goal. This is a wonderful reward for everyone involved. We have once again proven the quality of the Fabia Super 2000 and the technical expertise of ŠKODA.”

Kopecký was one of the first to drive the prototype of the ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 back in 2008, including outings as lead-off driver at the Barum Rally in the Czech Republic and at the Rally San Remo. Five years later, ŠKODA and its top driver can now enjoy the fruits of their labour. Kopecký first lined up for SKODA Motorsport in 2003, signed a contract to drive for the works team in 2008, and is now European Champion. Hrabánek: “I would like to congratulate both drivers from the bottom of my heart on the greatest success of their motorsport careers.”

The title is the just reward for an outstanding season for Kopecký/Dresler in the ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000. The seven starts so far this season have produced seven podium finishes. The highlight for Kopecký came in the form of a home win at the Barum Rally early this September. 2013 also yielded victories at the ERC rallies in Austria, on the Canary Islands, in the Azores, and in Romania. As such, Kopecký has stood on the top step of the podium at rallies on all surfaces – from snow and ice to gravel and asphalt.

The 40th Rally Croatia consists of 239.12 kilometres over 14 special stages on infamously slippery asphalt. The headquarters for this weekend’s anniversary edition of the rally are located in the tourist metropolis of Poreč on the Adriatic coast. Last year, Finnish driver Juho Hänninen – a ŠKODA works driver at the time – won en route to the ERC title.

[Karlheinz]

European champion Kopecký claims sixth win of the ERC season for ŠKODA

› Kopecký: “A dream weekend”
› Eight podiums in eight ERC races for ŠKODA duo Kopecký/Dresler
› Next challenge: final round of the Czech Rally Championship

Poreč, 28th September 2013 – ŠKODA’s European champion elect*, Jan Kopecký, has added to his already remarkable record with victory at the 40th Rally Croatia. Together with co-driver Pavel Dresler, the exceptional Czech driver claimed his sixth win of the season in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC). As such, ŠKODA Motorsport had two reasons to celebrate in Poreč.

“That was a dream weekend for us. We are European champions and also won the Rally Croatia. It does not get any better than this,” said Kopecký. After a cautious start, the 31-year-old moved into the lead on day one of the rally on the slippery asphalt routes along Croatia’s Adriatic coast and then simply refused to be caught. “We were quick without taking any unnecessary risks – we found the right combination again,” said his proud co-driver Pavel Dresler.

The ŠKODA duo has now finished on the podium at all eight rallies it has started in the 2013 ERC. The highlight saw Kopecký win his home event at the Barum Rally at the start of September. The pair also triumphed at the ERC rallies in Austria, on the Canary Islands, in the Azores, in Romania and now in Croatia. As such, Kopecký has stood on the top step of the podium at rallies on all surfaces – from snow and ice to gravel and asphalt. The reward: Kopecký and Dresler had already secured the title in the driver and co-driver competitions with two races remaining in the European Championship.

This was the first international title of Kopecký’s career and sees him join a host of rally legends to have won the ERC, including Germany’s Walter Röhrl and Italian Miki Biasion. Team Principal Michal Hrabánek also regards winning the European Championship title as an outstanding success for the entire SKODA Motorsport team: “With the ERC title for Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler, we have claimed another major success for the ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 project. Our entire team has worked hard all year to achieve this goal. This is a wonderful reward for everyone involved. We have once again proven the quality of the Fabia Super 2000 and the technical expertise of ŠKODA.”

The next opportunity to write the next chapter in this success story comes as soon as next week, when the European champions will set their sights on the next title for ŠKODA. The Czech Rally Championship will be decided at the 35th Rally Příbram on 5th and 6th October. Ahead of the grand finale, Jan Kopecký is still in with a chance of successfully defending the national title he won last year.

[Karlheinz]

Czech Championship: European champion Kopecký out to defend title for ŠKODA

› Four wins from four starts so far for ŠKODA duo Kopecký/Dresler in the Czech Rally Championship
› Finale at the 140.42-kilometre Rally Příbram
› “We will do our best to win our home championship”

Mladá Boleslav, 30 September 2013 – Newly-crowned European champions Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (CZ/CZ) have their sights set on the next title for ŠKODA. The Czech Rally Championship will be decided at the 35th Rally Příbram on 5 and 6 October. Going into the grand finale, Jan Kopecký can still successfully defend the national title he won last year.

“Having won the title in the European Championship, we have already achieved the greatest success of our career. However, the Czech Championship is extremely important. We will, as always, do our best to win our home championship,” said Kopecký. Just as they did in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC), the 31-year-old and his co-driver Pavel Dresler have produced some outstanding performances over the course of the 2013 season in the Czech Rally Championship.

Four wins from four starts: their record is impeccable. The successful pairing won the Jänner Rally in Austria, the Rally Hustopeče, the Rally Bohemia and the recent Barum Czech Rally Zlín in their ŠKODA Fabia S2000. The race for the title has boiled down to a duel with compatriot Václav Pech. The destination of the title will be decided at the Rally Příbram, which features 14 special stages held on 140.42 kilometres of mostly narrow and slippery asphalt roads.

“The Rally Příbram will really put us through our paces. As always, however, we know we have a strong ŠKODA team behind us,” said Kopecký, for whom the final rally of the Czech Rally Championship has proven to be a happy stomping ground: back in 2003 and 2004, when he was just setting out on his career, Kopecký claimed two highly acclaimed wins here for ŠKODA.

[Karlheinz]

Lappi out to collect points for ŠKODA at the Rally Sanremo

› ERC welcomes the ŠKODA factory team’s Finnish duo Lappi/Ferm for the second time this year
› New European Champion* Kopecký will cheer his Finnish team-mates on
› Event consists of ten Special Stages totalling 232.91 kilometres

Mladá Boleslav, 7 October 2013 – ŠKODA top talent Esapekka Lappi and his codriver
Janne Ferm will go all out to collect points for the Czech factory team at
the 55th Rally Sanremo. It will be the Finnish duo’s second race for ŠKODA in
this year’s FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) following the Barum Rally in
the Czech Republic. Jan Kopecký (CZ) – who has already been named European
Champion 2013* – will support the ŠKODA team at the classic event on 11 and
12 October.

“We’re really looking forward to taking part in another asphalt rally and improving our
performance there,” said Lappi. “We put in a few good times at ŠKODA’s home event in
Zlín, but then we failed to make it across the line. We want to do better than that in the
classic rally in Sanremo, of course,” added the 22-year-old.

The winner of last year’s Finnish Rally Championship was forced to retire early from the
2013 Barum Rally due to damage to his car’s safety cage, having previously recorded top
times. 22-year-old Lappi has also bagged two wins in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship
(APRC) so far this year. In Sanremo, the Finn will be able to incorporate a few tips from
his experienced team-mate Kopecký, who has already won the ERC overall standings
with six victories and will experience the rally from the spectator’s perspective this time.

The drivers’ accommodation for the legendary Rally Sanremo is near the famous casino.
The event will really put both man and machine to the test, as it does every year. All ten
Special Stages are held in the space of just over 28 hours on narrow asphalt tracks which
wind their way up the mountains, offering a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean.
Spectacular rallying action is guaranteed during the 232.91-kilometre rally and Lappi
hopes to take centre stage with his ŠKODA Fabia S2000.

[Karlheinz]

Cautious Lappi ends the first day of the Rallye Sanremo in sixth place for ŠKODA

› Škoda rally pair Lappi/Ferm: “These experiences help us improve”
› New European Champion* Kopecký gives his Finnish team-mates some advice
› Six special stages over 125.02 kilometres on the second day

Sanremo, 11 October 2013 – Safety first: ŠKODA racing talent Esapekka Lappi and his co-driver Janne Ferm lie in sixth place after the first day at the 55th Rallye Sanremo. The Finnish pair were cautious during their first start at the classic course of the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) and drove their ŠKODA Fabia S2000 home safely in the two night stages. Jan Kopecký, who has already been crowned 2013 European Champion*, experienced the rally live as a spectator with the ŠKODA team.

“We drove in safety mode. This rally is really tough and very difficult, but we knew that from the start and it is these experiences, which help us improve in order to be better in future. The most important thing for us here is to learn a lot and finish the rally,” Lappi explained. The 22-year-old didn’t commit any serious errors on the spectacular yet slippery course in the mountains overlooking the Mediterranean.

During ŠKODA’s home rally, Barum in Zlin, the Finn clocked some good stage times, but was unable to complete his first ERC rally of the season. The winner of last year’s Finnish Rally Championship has already exhibited his enormous talent on numerous occasions. He won last year’s ERC event in Poland, topped the WRC-2 standings in the Rallye Portugal this year and he has already notched up two victories in the current Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).
In Sanremo, the Finn also has the opportunity to profit from the advice of experienced team-mate Jan Kopecký, who has already clinched the ERC overall classification with six victories for the ŠKODA team and is taking in this rally from a spectator’s perspective. Kopecký, Lappi and the Italian Rally Champion Umberto Scandola, also driving the Fabia S2000 and sitting in third place after the first day’s action, make for a wonderful ŠKODA family in the drivers’ enclosure close to the famous casino.

Six special stages covering a total distance of 125.02 kilometres await on day two of the legendary race. Lappi: “I want to use these stages to gain even more experience on tarmac. The guys ahead of us are really fast and it is great for us to be able to measure ourselves against them on this demanding course.”

* Subject to official confirmation by the FIA

[Karlheinz]

Lappi gains ground to clinch second place for ŠKODA at the legendary Rallye Sanremo

› Fastest time in the final special stage turns fourth place into second
› ŠKODA duo Lappi/Ferm: “It’s fantastic to be up on the podium”
› New European champion* Kopecký provides valuable tips and presents the trophy

Sanremo, 12 October 2013 – Esapekka Lappi and his co-driver Janne Ferm put in a strong recovery for ŠKODA at the 55th Rallye Sanremo, finishing in second place. The two Finns delivered a strong performance on the second day of this classic rally in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) to move up four places. Jan Kopecký (CZ), who is already the 2013 European champion,* provided the pair with some valuable tips as a spectator in the ŠKODA team.

​“It was a really tough rally. It’s fantastic to have competed here for the first time and to have made it onto the podium straight away,” said a delighted Lappi. “And we have been able to gather a lot of experience on asphalt here.” The fast Finn achieved the quickest time in the tenth and final special stage, which bumped him up from fourth place and onto the podium. The spectacular mountain tracks by the Mediterranean were an entirely new arena for the 22-year-old. He is also relatively inexperienced on asphalt. But he made no mistakes in his second ERC appearance of the year. 

His experienced teammate Kopecký, who has already clinched the ERC championship title for ŠKODA with six wins this season and who experienced the legendary Rallye Sanremo as a spectator this time around, was a great help during the rally. “Jan gave me lots of very good tips,” said Lappi. Lappi was therefore all the more delighted to see Kopecký and his co-driver Pavel Dresler present the trophies during the victory ceremony on Saturday evening.

The winner of last year’s Finnish rally championship once again demonstrated his talent by finishing in second place. Last year, he won the ERC race in Poland, and this year he won the WRC-2 category at Rally Portugal. He has also already scored two wins in the current season of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), and will be in the running for the championship title at the final race in China on 2 and 3 November: “Me and my teammate Gaurav Gill have a clear goal – and that’s to win the manufacturers’ championship for ŠKODA.”

[Karlheinz]

ŠKODA driver Sepp Wiegand aiming for a podium finish in Spain

› Sixth WRC rally entry of the year for the German team in the Fabia S2000
› Wiegand: “We will give it our all in Rally Spain”
› Tricky rally with asphalt and gravel tracks to start in front of Barcelona cathedral

Mladá Boleslav, Czech Republic, 21 October 2013 – ŠKODA driver Sepp Wiegand and his co-driver Frank Christian want to be riding high in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), and are setting their sights on a podium finish once again in the rally taking place in Spain from 25 to 27 October. If successful, this promising German duo could also stake their place in the top three overall in the WRC 2 category during their sixth event in the current WRC season. It promises to be an exciting weekend, with the pair needing to make good 16 points to achieve this goal.

“I’m delighted to be going for top times in the ŠKODA. Rally Spain is one of the highlights in the calendar, and it goes without saying that we want to make it onto the winners’ rostrum,” says 22-year-old Wiegand, who has got ready for the challenge of Rally Spain by carrying out special asphalt tests there. “With its mix of asphalt and gravel tracks, this is an especially tricky rally – as a driver you have to adapt your driving and also the car’s set-up again and again,” says Wiegand. This means the driver, his co-driver Frank Christian and the team of ŠKODA mechanics all have their work cut out.

The Spanish rally, which takes place on the Costa Daurada, has a long history and will start in front of the cathedral in Barcelona. It covers a distance of 355.92 kilometres comprising 15 special stages and includes not only picturesque stretches, but also demanding ones in terms of driving skills. For Wiegand and Christian, the aim is to return to their good form at the beginning of the season, which saw them win in the snow at Rally Monte Carlo and take two third places, on the ice in Sweden and on the gravel in Portugal.
Wiegand is in fifth place on 67 points in the WRC 2 category ahead of Rally Spain – just 16 points short of a place on the podium. “We want to be in with a chance of finishing the season in third place overall, so we will give it our all in Rally Spain,” says Christian.

[Karlheinz]

Sepp Wiegand on course for a podium finish in his ŠKODA in Spain

› ŠKODA duo Wiegand/Christian ranked second ahead of the final day
› “It’s been a good day, although it was tough too”
› Rally concludes on Wiegand’s favourite surface gravel on Sunday

Salou, Spain, 26 October 2013 – Sepp Wiegand is on course for a podium finish in his ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 in Rally Spain. Ahead of the final day, the talented German rally driver and his co-driver Frank Christian are in a strong second place in the WRC 2 category. With the asphalt stages now behind them, most of the proceedings on Sunday in the penultimate rally of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) will take place on Wiegand’s preferred track surface, gravel.

“It’s been a good day, although it was tough too. We’re currently ranked second in the WRC 2 category, so the extra asphalt training with WTCC driver Pepe Oriola has really paid off. And with all the twists and turns in the course today, we saw just how important it was to have very precise pace notes,” said Wiegand, commenting on his performance so far in his sixth WRC rally this year. For Wiegand the highlight of the day’s driving on a course that was lined by thousands of fans was achieving the fastest time in the last special stage in Salou.

The 22-year old also benefited from the Brit Elfyn Evans having to pull out – a fact that actually pushed Wiegand up to second place overall in the WRC 2 category, behind the former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica of Poland. “I’m really looking forward to my favourite track surface – I really like gravel. That said, there are also a lot of rocks along the side of the track, so there is always the risk that the car might get damaged. But I’ll try to play it safe and still secure a spot on the podium,” said Wiegand.

After a category win in Monte Carlo and two third places in Sweden and Portugal, the primary aim is now to get Wiegand and Christian onto the winners’ rostrum once again. If they score a top result, the ŠKODA team will still be in with a chance of taking third place overall in the WRC 2 category at the WRC final in Wales. “We absolutely want to earn ourselves that opportunity on Sunday,” said a fired-up Sepp Wiegand.