European Rally Championship: Jan Kopecky wins Barum Rally

Škoda Motorsport factory driver Jan Kopecky has won Barum Czech Rally Zlin, 7th round of the 2015 FIA European Rally Championship. It was fourth victory for Kopecky at this rally, first time with new Škoda Fabia R5.

Co-driven by Pavel Dresler, Kopecky’s blistering pace secured him a big advantage after Saturday’s eight special stages. He was leading with 35.4 seconds gap ahead Vaclav Pech Jr in a Mini Cooper S2000. On Sunday’s six special stages Kopecky didn’t have to push and at the end of the rally he had 27.3 seconds gap ahead of Pech. Championship leader Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Ford Fiesta R5) finished third, 39.9 seconds slower than Kopecky.

“It’s really been a great weekend. Thank you to all the team, everyone at Škoda Motorsport has done another great job. The Fabia R5 is very strong, and it’s been a perfect event for us,” said Kopecky after the event.

Peugeot Sport Academy driver Craig Breen in a Peugeot 208 T16, who was second in championship standings, finished 7th, with 4,25 minutes gap. He lost the pace with leading drivers on Special Stage 5 after he had a puncture and lost two and half minutes.