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Mladá Boleslav, 28 April 2014 – Czech Rally fans have a real treat in store this weekend. The 42nd staging of the Rally Český Krumlov (2–3 May) will see two of ŠKODA's works driver teams in action. In addition to the European Champions Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (CZ/CZ), who are primarily competing in the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) this season, the duo currently leading the standings in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC), Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm (FIN/FIN) in the Fabia Super 2000, will also take part in the asphalt rally in South Bohemia.

"The Rally Český Krumlov is our home race and, as such, is a very special event on the ŠKODA race calendar," said Luboš Vlček, Director of Sales for the ŠKODA brand in the Czech Republic. "The enthusiasm for rally racing and the ŠKODA Motorsport team in the Czech Republic is incredible. That's why it is perfectly natural for us to enter our two top teams for this event."

Kopecký, who won the rally in 2012 in the Fabia Super 2000, is particularly looking forward to the race in his home country. "The APRC challenge is our priority this year," said last year's European Champion. "This means that we are looking forward to being able to drive for our home fans all the more. Pavel and I have fond memories of the Rally Český Krumlov, as we won there two years ago. We'll do our best to climb onto the top step of the podium once again."

Lappi has the same goal for his outing in Český Krumlov. "We obviously want to be fighting for victory. It's also the perfect opportunity for us to get some more practice on asphalt," said the Finn. Lappi won the Circuit of Ireland Rally on the Easter Weekend and leads the ERC as he travels to the city on the Vltava, which has a population of 13,000. "There's always something special about competing in ŠKODA's home country, even for Janne and me. You can feel the tremendous enthusiasm everywhere here."

Once the rally gets underway on Friday afternoon, the drivers will take on seven special stages covering 73.32 kilometres. The final three stages of the day will be held in the dark and will be particularly challenging. After a short night, the rally resumes on Saturday morning, when the drivers are faced with 96.78 kilometres over seven special stages.

ŠKODA has already won 14 times in Český Krumlov

ŠKODA already has 14 victories to its name at the rally around the South Bohemian city. Two of these came in the Fabia Super 2000. In 2011, five-time Czech Rally Champion Roman Kresta (CZ) and co-driver Petr Gross (CZ) won the Rally Český Krumlov. A year later it was Jan Kopecký/Pavel Dresler (CZ/CZ) who won in the city on the Vltava, on their way to their first joint title in the Czech Championship.

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