Articles

Jan Kopecký unbeaten so far

21. 8. 2018 - Jakub Hofbauer

Jan Kopecký is simply getting better and better with age. The 36-year old driver of factory team Škoda Motorsport is on a winning streak. He dominates Czech rally and has already secured himself another Czech Rally Championship title. For the past four years, he is unbeaten on home soil winning unbelievable 22 events in a row and six times Barum rally.

And this season he is also doing very well in WRC2 series winning already four times. After Rallye Deutschland he moved to the first place in front of his team colleague Pontus Tidemand from Sweden but only one them can be the winner. But before the big finale of FIA WRC2 he is going on Barum rally head to head with Daniel Sordo from Spain, a factory driver WRC and one of the top world drivers. "I know Dani Sordo very well. In 2006 and 2007 we were both racing in world championship series. His presence on Barum rally is great for both the drivers and the fans. He is a top on tarmac and one of the best ones in the world. I can't wait to race with him on roads that I know so well," said Jan Kopecký.

Jan Kopecký's stats for home rally events is truly impressive, last time he was beaten was in 2014 where he crashed on the last SS in Český Krumlov. Back then he was racing with Fabia S2000. But since then and after he got a new Fabia R5 it became impossible to beat him. Jan Kopecký won 22 rallies in a row in the Czech Rally Championship! Along with his long-time co-driver Pavel Dresler they secured themselves another title in advance on Rally Bohemia. Therefore, in Zlín he does not have to do tactical decisions regarding the championship. "We're representing Škoda Motorsport factory team and that's a motivation on its own. No other team in the Czech Republic can provide a better background, which helps a lot. And we have plenty of fans along the stages. The fan base here is incredible which can make other countries quite envy," said Jan Kopecký.

Jan Kopecký manages to prove his exceptional form in the WRC2. He was the fastest in the snowy Alps over Monte Carlo, then on serpentine-like roads on Corsica, on gravel in Sardinia and even on ever-changing tarmac on Rallye Deutschland. "This year has been amazing and I don't want to jinx it. We're doing our best to stay on top for the rest of the season. So far we have a steady peace both at home and abroad. Considering my experience, my co-pilot's experience and team's support we have to reach for the gold, especially in the Czech Republic. If we win the WRC2 it's going to be the best result of our career. We'll see what will happen in the remaining races. People make mistakes, there can be technical difficulties but we'll do everything we can to win," said Kopecký.