Kopecký pleased with Canarias preparations

Jan Kopecký says his participation on Rally 1000 Miglia was useful practice for Rally Islas Canarias, round four of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, which gets underway on Gran Canaria on Thursday (29 April).

Kopecký finished 10th overall on the Tarmac event, the opening round of the Italian and European championships, which the Czech is also contesting this season in a Škoda Fabia Super 2000.

He said: “We had brake problems and a puncture on Friday and we also lost time on the first stage in fog and catching two cars. Saturday was quite okay although we did not have much grip and I don’t know why. Then on the last stage we had a problem with the tyre and lost a lot of time. But at least it was dry [on day two] and that was good practice for Rally Islas Canarias.”

Former IRC event winner Luca Rossetti finished second overall in an Abarth Grande Punto. He also claimed maximum European championship points after team-mate and ex-IRC regular Giandomenco Basso suffered two late punctures.