Zlín stage victory for Kopecký

Jan Kopecký began the defence of his Barum Czech Rally Zlín title in style by going fastest on the opening stage, the 9.01-kilometre SSS Zlin stage.

Held in drying conditions following earlier rain, Kopecký set a time of 7m15.0s in his factory Škoda Fabia Super 2000 Facelift.

Second fastest through the stage was Kopecký’s team-mate and Intercontinental Rally Challenge title leader Juho Hänninen, who was the last driver to tackle the stage, which attracted tens of thousands of spectators despite the unseasonal conditions.

Kris Meeke, the defending IRC champion, was the first non-Škoda driver in fourth overall.

Several drivers hit trouble in the stage including Burcu Çetinkaya, who picked up a front-right puncture in her Peugeot 207 and Corrado Fontana, who hit a rock and broke his 207’s front-right wheel.

Matteo Gamba heads the IRC 2WD Cup standings in his Clio R3.

Overall positions after SS1: