SS13: Kopecky out, Kostka closes on Kresta

Jan Kopecký is out of Barum Czech Rally Zlín. The local hero was in second place starting the 21.40-kilometre Halenkovice stage but stopped early in the run with a reported engine failure on his ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000.

Kopecký’s exit means team-mate Juho Hänninen is all but assured of his first victory on the Intercontinental Rally Challenge round. The Finn’s lead is now 1m47.2s with two stages remaining.

“I don’t know what has happened but only a few kilometres from the start he was at the side of the road,” said Hänninen. “It looks like it was something technical because he has stopped and is not coming. Now we have to find the rhythm again because it’s not easy any more after being in a big fight for the last two days.”

Meanwhile, Tomáš Kostka has cut Roman Kresta’s margin in the battle for what is now second place by going almost seven seconds faster than his fellow Fabia driver through the second running of Halenkovice. Kostka is now 1.8s behind Kresta, the three-time winner in Zlín, with two stages remaining.

Karl Kruuda reported a loss of grip midway through the stage when his slick tyres began to overheat, while Robert Barrable suffered a heavy landing after jump and continues to slip behind Czech driver Jaromír Tarabus in the battle for fifth place. Tarabus impressed with the second fastest time.

Defending IRC champion Andreas Mikkelsen, who is out of contention for victory in Zlín following his double puncture on the first running of Halenkovice test, said his soft compound slick tyres were less effective for the largely dry stage.

Andreas Aigner, who is running first on the road, maintains top spot in the IRC Production Cup classification at the wheel of his Stohl Racing Subaru Impreza R4 STI. “It’s slippery with a lot of dirt on the road from the first lap but okay, no problems,” said the Austrian. “In the forest it’s still damp.”