Rally Šumava Klatovy: Jan Kopecký and ŠKODA continue their impressive winning streak

Unperturbed by weather shenanigans, rain on the second leg and a time penalty, Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (ŠKODA FABIA R5) have driven to a resounding victory in the Rally Šumava Klatovy. However, ŠKODA Stablemates Jan Černy/Petr Černohorský were unlucky when a time penalty caused them to lose second place to Ford driver Václav Pech. 

Jan Kopecký and co-driver Pavel Dresler (ŠKODA FABIA R5) laid the foundation for their resounding victory in the Rally Šumava Klatovy in the first stage on Friday. The Czech champions drove four convincing best times, with the fifth special stage abandoned for safety reasons due to oil on the road left behind by one of the vehicles participating in the historic category. Kopecký and Dresler finished the day with a comfortable lead of around half a minute. 

Kopecký and co-driver Dresler (ŠKODA FABIA R5) turned in five more best times on Saturday, despite heavy rain transforming the morning’s fast stages around Klatovy into treacherous slippery roads. 

Brand stablemates Jan Černy/Petr Černohorský in their private ŠKODA FABIA R5 had pushed their way into second place and were locked in a thrilling duel with Ford team Vacláv Pech/Petr Uhel. On their way to a refuelling stop between the eighth and ninth stages, Kopecký’s co-driver Dresler and Černy’s navigator Černohorský misinterpreted an unclear instruction in the roadbook and missed a junction. As a consequence, both teams reached the refueling station via a route other than the one specified and each were penalised 15 seconds. While Jan Kopecký continued on his way unaffected at the top of the leader board, the penalty was enough to lose Jan Černy the battle for second place. 

Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler drove the remaining stages with their ŠKODA FABIA R5 with a controlled speed, safely bringing home their second win of the season and extending their lead in the Czech Rally Championship (MČR).