ŠkodaPortal.cz Simply clever

Longyou, China, 8 November 2014 – The ŠKODA champions are on course for victory in the grand final of the current FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) season in China. The ŠKODA duo Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (CZ) overcame challenging track conditions caused by rain at the "China Rally Longyou" and now have a comfortable lead overall at the halfway point of the final event of the season. ŠKODA has already won the title in the manufacturers' standings in the APRC* for the third time in a row. Jan Kopecký is also the first ever driver to have won both the drivers' championship title in the European Rally Championship (ERC) and the APRC* in consecutive years.

"We saw how difficult it is to drive on the different surfaces in the rain. The concrete roads in particular were like driving on an ice rink. This gave a clear advantage to the more experienced drivers from around here," said Kopecký. "We also had quite a tussle with our teammate Gaurav Gill. But Gaurav then had a spot of bad luck and was unfortunately unable to finish the day's racing." Gaurav Gill/Glenn Macneall (IND/NZ) engaged in a thrilling duel with Kopecký/Dresler over the first five special stages. But Gill then hit a rock and damaged his suspension.

"I hope the mechanics can repair the damage so that I can re-enter the rally. But I will unfortunately have to abandon all hopes of winning the rally," Gill commented. This unfortunate incident aside, the Fabia Super 2000 once again demonstrated its exceptional class in what is the most important market for the Czech automobile manufacturer: the high-tech four-wheel drive vehicle from Mladá Boleslav was the fastest car in all seven of the special stages held so far on both concrete and gravel. "I think we were able to give the fans a thrill. And we want to do the same again on the final day in the most important market in the world for ŠKODA," said Kopecký.

The aim of the factory-backed ŠKODA MRF team is to be up there at the top in the sixth race of the season too. So far in 2014, they have notched up five wins in five APRC events – Kopecký triumphed three times and the deposed defending champion Gill scored two wins. Kopecký/Dresler now have another 124.48 kilometres to go to secure another rally win, this being the distance that remains to be driven on the final day.

* Subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA.

The number of the "China Rally Longyou": 114.17

114.17 – this is the distance in kilometres that the successful ŠKODA duo Kopecký/Dresler have so far covered. The two Czechs have put in the fastest times in five of the seven special stages so far in the Fabia Super 2000, while their teammates Gill/Macneall have made it to the top twice.

APRC Calendar 2014:

11–13 April: Rally Whangarei – New Zealand
16–18 May: Rally New Caledonia – New Caledonia
20–22 June: Rally Queensland – Australia
15–17 August: Rally Malaysia – Malaysia
26–28 September: Rally Hokkaido – Japan
7–9 November: China Rally Longyou – China

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