Tough task ahead for Kopecký

Jan Kopecký admits repeating his International Jännerrallye victory of 2012 won’t be easy when the 2013 FIA European Rally Championship gets underway in Austria this week.

Kopecký took victory in snowy conditions 12 months ago at the wheel of a ŠKODA Motorsport Fabia Super 2000. He will return to the Freistadt-based event with the Czech squad bidding for win number two in Upper Austria.

“I’m really happy to be doing the rally and thank you to ŠKODA for this,” said the 30-year-old. “Of course I want to try to win but it won’t be easy. I will have the start number one and clearing the snow can be a problem. What time I lose on Friday I hope to make back on Saturday. But I don’t feel any pressure and I know I will get some good support from the Czech fans.”

Kopecký is the top seed for the 18-stage rally which runs from 3-5 January.