There is always a first time. Admittedly, this does not always have to be nice and memorable. However over the weekend in Trier, Jan Kopecký celebrated a particularly great premiere: At the Rally Germany he won on asphalt. For the first time ever. Good for him. Good for the team.
The Czech jack of all trades brought in the third victory in a row for the new rally car ŠKODA Fabia R5. Esapekka Lappi triumphed on Polish and Finnish gravel. Now Kopecký celebrated his victory on German asphalt. He was unstoppable as he put the pedal to the metal through tight curves, steep hills and vineyards and the infamous “Panzerplatte” on a military base. What’s usually reserved for tanks and jets, Kopecký drifted unstoppably over the asphalt in the ŠKODA Fabia R5.
So there are many reasons to celebrate for the ŠKODA team. The only downer in the ninth round of the season: Lappi’s annoying blip in the second special stage where his dream of victory came to an abrupt end. Nevertheless, the Finn is still lurking for the top position in WRC 2 overall standings. He is not far away. The reigning champion Nasser Al-Attiyah has made himself cosy on this first course. He also celebrated a debut in Trier: He ran for the first time with the new rally cars of ŠKODA and right of the bat became fourth. Perhaps the current best WRC 2 pilot even wins the next rally. It would be his first time in the ŠKODA Fabia R5.
