Strong shakedown effort boosts Kopecký

Jan Kopecký is full of confidence for Barum Czech Rally Zlín after a successful shakedown for the Intercontinental Rally Challenge qualifier, which gets underway with a superspecial stage through the streets of the host city tonight.

Kopecký, the winner in Zlín back in 2009, will drive a factory ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia Super 2000 on the asphalt event with co-driver Petr Starý.

He said: “We did a few runs in shakedown and the car is working perfectly so no problems. I come to finish and try to have the same speed as last year and not to make any mistakes.”

Despite shakedown taking place in searing temperatures Kopecký said he would prefer a hot and dry event rather than the mixed conditions experienced last year.

“The weather today is too much for everyone but it will be better for everyone, especially for the Czech spectators that we have sun because this is the only week that has been quite stable without rain. It will be nice if it’s completely dry.”