Last year, with Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (CZE/CZE) ahead of Pontus Tidemand/Jonas Andersson (SWE/SWE), ŠKODA Motorsport celebrated a convincing one-two at the Rally Šumava Klatovy in the west corner of the Czech Republic. This year, however, the two teams are following different paths. While Tidemand/Andersson are already on their way to the next round of the WRC in Argentina one week later, Kopecký/Dresler will be taking to the tarmac on home ground in their ŠKODA FABIA R5.
At the WRC Tour de Corse two weeks ago, Jan Kopecký demonstrated with top-class driving and two best times that he is one of the fastest drivers on tarmac. Only huge misfortune on the Mediterranean island prevented the Czech champion from securing a top slot.
The Rally Šumava Klatovy begins on Friday 21 April at 4.35 pm and runs on best times over 166 kilometres divided into 14 special stages. The winners are expected over the line in Klatovy on Saturday 22 April at around 7.00 pm. Alongside Jan Kopecký’s works ŠKODA FABIA R5, more than half a dozen other ŠKODA FABIAs are expected on the grid in various different categories.
The 2017 calendar for the Czech Rally Championship (MČR)
Event/ Date
Valašská Rally; 25.03.–26.03.2017
Rally Šumava Klatovy; 21.04.–22.04.2017
Rally Český Krumlov; 19.05.–20.05.2017
Rally Hustopeče; 16.06.–17.06.2017
Rally Bohemia; 01.07.–02.07.2017
Barum Czech Rally Zlín; 25.08.–27.08.2017
Rally Příbram; 06.10.–08.10.2017
