ŠkodaPortal.cz Simply clever

Sanremo, 11 October 2013 – Safety first: ŠKODA racing talent Esapekka Lappi and his co-driver Janne Ferm lie in sixth place after the first day at the 55th Rallye Sanremo. The Finnish pair were cautious during their first start at the classic course of the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) and drove their ŠKODA Fabia S2000 home safely in the two night stages. Jan Kopecký, who has already been crowned 2013 European Champion*, experienced the rally live as a spectator with the ŠKODA team.

"We drove in safety mode. This rally is really tough and very difficult, but we knew that from the start and it is these experiences, which help us improve in order to be better in future. The most important thing for us here is to learn a lot and finish the rally," Lappi explained. The 22-year-old didn't commit any serious errors on the spectacular yet slippery course in the mountains overlooking the Mediterranean.

During ŠKODA's home rally, Barum in Zlin, the Finn clocked some good stage times, but was unable to complete his first ERC rally of the season. The winner of last year's Finnish Rally Championship has already exhibited his enormous talent on numerous occasions. He won last year's ERC event in Poland, topped the WRC-2 standings in the Rallye Portugal this year and he has already notched up two victories in the current Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC).

In Sanremo, the Finn also has the opportunity to profit from the advice of experienced team-mate Jan Kopecký, who has already clinched the ERC overall classification with six victories for the ŠKODA team and is taking in this rally from a spectator's perspective. Kopecký, Lappi and the Italian Rally Champion Umberto Scandola, also driving the Fabia S2000 and sitting in third place after the first day's action, make for a wonderful ŠKODA family in the drivers' enclosure close to the famous casino.

Six special stages covering a total distance of 125.02 kilometres await on day two of the legendary race. Lappi: "I want to use these stages to gain even more experience on tarmac. The guys ahead of us are really fast and it is great for us to be able to measure ourselves against them on this demanding course."

Podobné články