Czech ace Kopecký to get practice at home

Intercontinental Rally Challenge title contender Jan Kopecký is set to get more stage time than some of his rivals this season after it was confirmed that the Czech would tackle a handful of his national championship events alongside his IRC campaign.

The 29-year-old, runner-up in the IRC for the past two seasons and Czech champion in 2004, will drive a Škoda Motorsport Fabia Super 2000 alongside regular navigator Petr Starý, starting with the Wallachia Rally at the end of March.

As part of Škoda’s 110 years in motorsport celebrations, Kopecký’s car will incorporate a retro livery design based on the make’s famous 130 RS model of 1977.

“We are pleased that our fans at home will have a chance to see the best we can offer – a factory crew in a Fabia Super 2000 appearing in the Czech Republic championship," said Škoda Motorsport boss Michal Hrabánek. “The retro design will make our appearance in the Czech Republic championship even more attractive and exciting, and we are also going to mark this year’s anniversary of Škoda’s motorsport efforts.”

Although Škoda has yet to announce Kopecký’s programme for 2011, it has confirmed the IRC will be his main focus this season.