Kopecký and ŠKODA continue to dominate WRC 2 category in Rally Corsica
Bastia, April 7: ŠKODA factory team Jan Kopecký and co-driver Pavel Dresler (CZE/CZE) continue to dominate the WRC2 category at Rally France / Tour de Corse. Their young Norwegian team-mates Ole Christian Veiby and Stig Rune Skjaermœn after a tense fight were second in the provisional category standings going into the last stage of the Saturday leg. Albeit, when their gearbox got stuck in first gear they dropped to third place behind Italian ŠKODA privateer Fabio Andolfi.
The first special stage on early Saturday morning was a tough wake-up call for the crews. More than 35 Kms had to be driven in the north of Corsica. Veiby was fully awake and scored his first WRC2 fastest time on the fifth stage of the rally while Kopecký consolidated his category lead.
“This was a very good start for us, but the stage was very tricky. Maybe I was at the end too cautious. But going into the corners, you always have to keep an eye for surprising gravel on the road,” commented Kopecký.
Veiby was happy after his first WRC2 stage win on an asphalt event of the FIA World Rally Championship. “I found a really nice rhythm and I just kept pushing,” smiled Veiby at the end of the first morning stage. And his rhythm also led him to the next fastest time in special stage number six, while WRC2 category leader Kopecký fought back with the fastest time on the following one.
After the regrouping in Bastia, the ŠKODA crews had to face the repetition of the morning stages and proved again their speed on the Mediterranean Island. On the second pass of the longest stage of the day, the 35 Kms, Kopecký was quickest in front of Veiby who moved into second position after a tense fight in the WRC2 category.
On the next two stages, Czech champion Kopecký was fastest again, while on the last stage of the day the gearbox of Veiby’s ŠKODA FABIA R5 got stuck in first gear. The time loss cost him the possible second place in the WRC2 category.
ŠKODA Motorsport boss Michal Hrabánek emphasized: “Again, a great drive of Jan, who had no issues with his ŠKODA FABIA R5 and drove fast and faultlessly. Sorry for OC, that bad luck put him out of the fight for second place. We will fix his car at the final service. The rally is not over yet. Still a long way to go on Sunday is still a long way to go.”
On the final day of the rally, the longest stage is waiting for the crews. More than 55Kms have to be driven on winding mountain roads before the rally-ending Power Stage, covering around 16Kms, will bring the final decision.
Standings Rally Corsica after Day 2 (WRC2):
1. Kopecký / Dresler (CZE/CZE), ŠKODA FABIA R5, 2hrs, 51mins, 30.6secs; 2. Andolfi / Scattolin (ITA/ITA), ŠKODA FABIA R5, +3:04.3 min; 3. Veiby / Skjaermœn (NOR/NOR), ŠKODA FABIA R5, +3:49.9 min; 4. Bonato / Boulloud (FRA/FRA), Citroën C3 R5, +7:05.9 sec; 5. Pieniazek / Mazur (POL/POL), ŠKODA FABIA R5, +12:08.9 min.
SKODA AUTO Press Release
