“We made a perfect start to the Czech Rally Championship with the one-two achieved by Jan Kopecký and Pontus Tidemand at the Rally Šumava Klatovy,” says ŠKODA Motorsport Director Michal Hrabánek. “We are pleased to be back racing in front of our home crowd again. Last year’s Rally Český Krumlov was hard to beat, in terms of drama. Jan Kopecký only secured a thrilling victory on the very last stage,” Hrabánek recalls.
Thousands of fans are expected again at the second of six rounds in this season’s MČR. The iconic event begins on Friday in České Budějovice and ends after 14 stages and 167.08 kilometres against the clock in Český Krumlov on Saturday.
Not only could Jan Kopecký claim his second win of the season, but he could also win the iconic rally for the third time, having previously triumphed in 2012 and 2015. “We want to challenge for the win again. That is going to require a top performance. Pontus Tidemand and Václav Pech are among those who will give as good as they get again,” says the 34-year-old. Kopecký has won his last six MČR rallies in the ŠKODA FABIA R5, starting last season.
Pontus Tidemand and his co-driver Jonas Andersson are making their second guest appearance in the Czech championship at the Rally Český Krumlov. “Jonas and I are looking forward to our next rally in the home of the ŠKODA brand, as the fans are really special here,” says 25-year-old Tidemand.
As at the Rally Šumava Klatovy, Kopecký/Dresler and Tidemand/Andersson will face competition from ŠKODA customer teams in South Bohemia. Vojtěch Štajf/František Rajnoha (CZ/CZ) will compete in ŠKODA’s globally successful high-tech four-wheel drive powerhouse, the FABIA R5. Štajf lines up for the Klokočka ŠKODA Czech National Team.
ŠKODA has once again come up with something new for motorsport fans at the Rally Český Krumlov. As well as a diverse and entertaining programme in the ŠKODA Park, the manufacturer is also staging a competition, in which entrants can win a ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS 230 for a year. “ŠKODA has made a perfect start to the season in the MČR – both on and off the rally routes,” says Michal Pres, Head of Marketing at ŠKODA Czech Republic. “We want to continue that at the Rally Český Krumlov, and to offer fans in the ŠKODA Park another attractive programme.”
The ŠKODA FABIA R5 and other rally cars in the Czech Rally Championship are not the only ones who will be competing in South Bohemia. One part of the diverse motorsport weekend will be the 5th New Energies Rally Český Krumlov for automobiles with alternative forms of propulsion. This forms part of the International Automobile Federation’s (FIA) Alternative Energies Cup for the first time this year. The importance of the rally is underlined by the attendance of FIA President Jean Todt.
ŠKODA is also represented in this competition, including with the ŠKODA OCTAVIA Combi 1.4 TSI G-TEC. This sees the Czech car maker confirm its interest in the development of alternative forms of propulsion. The brand also boasts impressive technical expertise in the field of developing and manufacturing environmentally-sound vehicles. CNG technology is among the key pillars of ŠKODA’s sustainability strategy. The OCTAVIA G-TEC, which runs on both fuel and compressed natural gas, is very popular with customers.
Czech Rally Championship (MČR)
Event Date
Rally Šumava Klatovy 29.04.–30.04.2016
Rally Český Krumlov 27.05.–28.05.2016
Rally Hustopeče 17.06.–18.06.2016
Rally Bohemia 02.07.–03.07.2016
Barum Czech Rally Zlín 26.08.–28.08.2016
Rally Příbram 30.09.–01.10.2016
Did you know …
… ŠKODA is the dominant manufacturer in the starting field for the Rally Český Krumlov? Of 80 registered starters, 34 will be at the wheel of a ŠKODA.
… the city of Český Krumlov is a UNESCO World Heritage Site? The historic centre of the city on the Vltava river is regarded as a unique cultural monument.
… ŠKODA won the very first Rally Český Krumlov? At the inaugural event in 1971, a certain Mr Janouch (CZ), at the wheel of the iconic 1100 MB, claimed the first of many victories for ŠKODA.
… Czech rally legend Roman Kresta is the record winner at the Rally Český Krumlov? He triumphed seven times in total.
… some sections of the route at the Rally Český Krumlov take place on pistes used for skiing in the winter? The 13.76-kilometre “Lipno” stage, which is run twice on the Saturday, forms both the highest point of the rally and the final stage.
… the service park for the rally is once again located in České Budějovice? The largest city in South Bohemia, with 93,000 inhabitants, is known around the world for Budweiser Budvar beer.
160524 Jan Kopecký out to extend his lead in the Czech Rally Championship
