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Longyou/China, 7 November 2014 – Champion Jan Kopecký noticed something very special in his first few days in China. "I'm surprised and delighted by how many ŠKODA models there are on the roads here," said the Czech works driver: "Whether it's the Fabia or the Octavia – the Chinese like us." To develop this special relationship in ŠKODA's most important global market further in the future, Kopecký and his co-driver Pavel Dresler are on a promotional tour in China.

The focus of this tour is the successful duo's appearance at the "China Rally Longyou" from Friday to Sunday. Going into the season grand finale of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), Kopecký has already become the first driver in history to win the drivers' title in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) and the APRC* in consecutive years. On top of that, ŠKODA has secured the title in the manufacturers' standings of the APRC* ahead of the "China Rally Longyou" for the third time in a row. In the five races of the APRC season so far ŠKODA has won five times.

So it's logical that the rally fans in the Chinese province of Zhejiang are watching out for Jan Kopecký and the successful Fabia Super 2000 model in particular. To make sure they were prepared perfectly, Kopecký and Dresler travelled to China a week before the start of the most important rally. "This was the best way for us to adjust to the time difference. Before the recce on Wednesday we mainly went jogging and to the gym – and are also getting to know the country and people on our first trip to China," reported Kopecký.

As well as the friendliness of the people, the 32-year-old is particularly taken with the varied and delicious food in China. The turbulent traffic in the Longyou district is new territory: "There's so much traffic, everyone sounds their horn." The trip to the metropolis of Shanghai, supported by ŠKODA China, when the rally is over will be even more exciting. Photo shoots in front of the sights in the megacity and at a ŠKODA dealer are planned for Monday and Tuesday.

The Czech car brand has been in China since 2007 and since then has found its way into customers' hearts with its attractive models. In the first nine months of 2014, almost 200,000 vehicles were delivered in China. The plans for the future are to deliver up to 500,000 each year in ŠKODA's most important single market in the world.

"Just how fast and reliable our Fabia is, was demonstrated once again in this championship," said Kopecký: "On top of that, ŠKODA has a perfect team. China is the perfect location to celebrate this properly with everybody."

* Subject to the official publication of the results by the FIA.

Did you know that ...

... the six races of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship are held in regions in which more than 2.5 billion people live?

... China is ŠKODA's largest single market worldwide? In September 2014 alone, 24,900 vehicles were delivered here, which is more than a quarter of the Czech car manufacturer's total sales around the world. The increase of 16.3 percent compared with the previous year's result in the same month (September 2013: 21,400) was also the second-best monthly sales result for ŠKODA since entering the Chinese market in 2007. A total of 198,200 vehicles were sold in the first nine months.

... the "China Rally Longyou" has been part of the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) since 2006? Before that, the rally in the province of Zhejiang was where the Chinese Rally Championship (CRC) was held.

... Cody Crocker is the record winner of the "China Rally Longyou"? The Australian won the rally four times in a row between 2006 and 2009.

... Alister McRae won the "China Rally Longyou" in 2011 and 2012, continuing the McRae family's success story in China? His older brother, rally legend Colin McRae, won the "Rally China" in 1997, which was still part of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) back then.

... "Longyou" is a district in the Chinese province of Zhejiang? Zhejiang Province is known as the "land of fish and rice". The largest fishing area is off the east coast of China and rice is the most important agricultural product on land.

... the longest trans-oceanic bridge in the world is in Zhejiang Province? In May 2008 the Hangzhou bridge was opened in Hangzhou harbour. Construction of the 6-lane bridge started in November 2003 and cost a total of around 1.1 billion euros.

... ŠKODA has fond memories of the "China Rally Longyou"? Last year Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm (FIN/FIN) won the "China Rally Longyou", beating their team-mates Gaurav Gill/Glen Macneall (IND/NZ) and clinching championship victory for ŠKODA in the manufacturers' standings.

The number of the "China Rally Longyou": 1, 2, 3

1, 2, 3 – the top three positions in the drivers' overall standings in the APRC are all taken by ŠKODA drivers. The new champion Jan Kopecký (CZ) leads ahead of the dethroned defending champion Gaurav Gill. Both drivers drive for the works-supported team ŠKODA MRF. Third-placed Jun Xu from China also owes his success to a ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000.

FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), Manufacturers' Championship standings after five of six rounds:

1. ŠKODA, 192 points (making them APRC champion*); 2. Mitsubishi, 94; 3. Subaru 82; 4. Proton, 72; 5. Renault, 45

FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), Drivers' Championship standings after five of six rounds:

1. Jan Kopecký, 151 (making him APRC champion*); 2. Gaurav Gill, 104; 3. Jun Xu 97; 4. Mark Pedder, 90; 5. Michael Young, 88

APRC Calendar 2014:

11–13 April: Rally Whangarei – New Zealand
16–18 May: Rally New Caledonia – New Caledonia
20–22 June: Rally Queensland – Australia
15–17 August: Rally Malaysia – Malaysia
26–28 September: Rally Hokkaido – Japan
7–9 November: China Rally Longyou – China

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