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Brescia, Klatovy, 21 April 2012 – ŠKODA Motorsport has had an extremely challenging weekend. The parallel appearance in two rallies (Czech and European Championships) resulted in clear victory for ŠKODA at home where the crew of Kopecký/Dresler won comfortable the third victory this year. Hänninen and Markkula fought bravely against the top home drivers to finish fourth and to take lead of the European Championship.

Michal Hrabánek, head of the ŠKODA Motorsport factory team, evaluates the demanding competition weekend: "The logistics of the two parallel rallies was very demanding, I would like to praise the professional work of all team members. In Bohemia our factory team managed to make use of the top conditions and has confirmed its qualities. The Italian rally showed how specific the local conditions are and that the rallying scene is highly competitive. We are also very happy about the podium positions of the private Fabias Super 2000 in both competitions."

Jan Kopecký showed excellent driving in Rally Šumava and leaving from start to finish marks his first victory at the Šumava rally. Kopecký won 14 out of 15 stages, and from the first to the last kilometre he made it clear who the winner is going to be. In the third rally of this year's International Championship of the Czech Republic he marks the third victory, and with the highest possible score he dominates the standings. In Šumava Kopecký was accompanied on the podium by drivers with private Fabias Super 2000 – 2nd Kresta, 3rd Tarabus.

Jan Kopecký was happy with his premiere victory in Šumava: "We have made perfect use of our thorough preparation for the rally, and we are celebrating a premiere victory in Šumava. We can be satisfied with our performance, three rallies and three victories – what else could we wish for. Racing in front of Czech audience is always an emotional matter for us."

Juho Hänninen was fearlessly battling the home matadors in the second event of the European Championship – Rally 1000 Miglia. In stage No.11, however, one slip cost him more than one minute of time and the podium position. Hänninen was then trying very hard until the finish, but there was no chance for a better than the fourth position. But after two completed rallies he tops the standings of the European Championship. In spite of that, ŠKODA still appeared on the podium in Italy with Umberto Scandola of the ŠKODA Italia Motorsport team finishing third.

Juho Hänninen evaluates the rally 1000 Miglia: "The home drivers showed their high quality; in Italy it was never easy but I don't want to make excuses. We had a good test before the rally, and the race itself started off very well. We lost the podium due to a one big moment in the second leg, and although we were fighting on the loss could not be made up for. We feel very sorry about that."

Positions of the Czech Championship after three competitions:

1.    Kopecký/Dresler 150 points
2.    Kresta/Gross 76 points
3.    Pech/Uhel 65 points

Positions of the European Championship after two competitions:

1.    Hänninen/Markkula 43 points
2.    Basso/Dotta  39 points
3.    Kopecký/Dresler 35 points

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