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Mladá Boleslav, 11 August 2014 – ŠKODA works driver Jan Kopecký (CZ) embarks on his Malaysian adventure full of confidence following his home win at the Rally Bohemia. 10,000 kilometres from his last outing, an extremely demanding route awaits championship leader Kopecký and his team-mate Gaurav Gill (IND) at the fourth round of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC). The works-assisted ŠKODA MRF team holds a commanding lead at the top of the APRC Championship, courtesy of three wins in three rallies, and has set its sights on continuing this run of success at the Malaysian Rally from Friday to Sunday.

"Repeating last year's victory at the Rally Bohemia, on the doorstep of ŠKODA's headquarters in Mladá Boleslav, was a very special moment for me and my co-driver Pavel Dresler. That obviously also gives us a boost ahead of the second half of the APRC season too," said Kopecký. The 32-year-old Czech crowned a one-two-three for ŠKODA at the Rally Bohemia on 12 July 2014, as the Czech automobile manufacturer dominated the event, which also marked the 40th anniversary of the ŠKODA RS. Kopecký's works Fabia Super 2000 was given a special red and white livery as a tribute to the iconic cars of the 1970s.

Kopecký will line up in exactly the same colours when he climbs behind the wheel of the ŠKODA MRF team's high-tech, four-wheel drive powerhouse at this weekend's Malaysian Rally. However, that is about the only thing the two rallies in Europe and Asia have in common. "I will have to change my driving style from the fast asphalt roads in the Czech Republic to the muddy tracks through the banana and coconut plantations in Malaysia," said Kopecký.

"The tropical temperatures in Malaysia represent a real challenge," Kopecký continued. "We have to prepare specially them. That is why we have been in the sauna – with our racing overalls on – on numerous occasions in recent weeks! That is what the conditions will be like in the cockpit of our Fabia Super 2000 when we are pushing ourselves to the limit on the rally. This way we are doing everything in our power to ensure we are as well prepared as possible for this adventure."

Kopecký's ŠKODA team-mates Gaurav Gill/Glenn Macneall (IND/NZ) experienced at first hand just how tricky the Malaysian Rally can be at last year's event. Heavy rainfall caused the route to soften up, and the duo skidded from the road on the opening day, thus bidding farewell to any hopes of victory. "We obviously want to do better than in 2013, and preferably to win. However, the top priority at this difficult rally is to reach the finish and score valuable points in the Manufacturers' Championship," said Gill. "One thing is certain: if I want to successfully defend my title in the APRC Drivers' Championship, I will have to put my foot down in Malaysia."

With 66 points to his name, the defending champion finds himself well behind leader Kopecký (105) at the halfway point of the season. Having finished runner-up behind Gill at the first rally of his rookie APRC season, the Czech then won the events in New Caledonia and Australia. Tropical temperatures await the ŠKODA drivers at the Malaysian Rally, which forms the opening Asian leg of the 2014 APRC, when they take on 217.40 kilometres spread over 14 special stages from Friday to Sunday.

The starts in the APRC are of great importance to the Czech automobile manufacturer. The goal is to further raise the awareness of the brand in international markets – particularly ŠKODA's largest market, China, where the finale of the APRC season takes place in November. ŠKODA has set its sights on increasing its global sales to at least 1.5 million units per year over the coming years, with particular emphasis on the growth markets in Asia.

Did you know that ...

... the Malaysian Rally was first held in the mid-1970s? In the past, it has also been known as the Rally Malaysia and Rally of Malaysia. As well as the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, the iconic event has also formed part of the Malaysian Rally Championship for many years.

... the list of winners at the Malaysian Rally features such prominent names as former World Rally Champion Colin McRae (GB)? His brother Alister McRae (GB) also triumphed in Malaysia in 2012. Australians Ross Dunkerton (1989 to 1992) and Cody Crocker (2006 to 2009) both won the event four times in a row.

... the Malaysian Rally is held at the south end of Malaysia, to the north of Singapore? The rally centre, Johor Bahru, is connected to the city state by a causeway.

... the rally takes place in a fantastic holiday area? The sandy beaches, isolated islands, tropical rainforests and impressive waterfalls are just as popular with tourists as the fireflies that come out at night. The region also boasts more than 20 golf courses.

... the temperatures in the rally region are usually between at least 27 and 30 degrees Celsius?

...was only granted full independence in 1963? Until then, various parts of the country still belonged to the British empire. Malaysia is one of the world's few elective monarchies, with the king elected every five years by nine sultans.

... the six rounds of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship are held in regions, in which over 2.5 billion people live? China, which hosts the final race in the APRC Season on 8 and 9 November, was also the largest individual ŠKODA market in the world in June, with 23,600 cars sold. In total, ŠKODA delivered 522,500 cars in the first half of 2014, the first time the company had sold more than half a million cars in just half a year.

... ŠKODA's parent company Volkswagen produces its production cars in Malaysia, in Pekan?

The number for the Malaysian Rally: 1

Last year, in extraordinary conditions, only one rally car in the APRC class managed to complete every single special stage: so it was that New Zealand's Michael Young claimed overall victory. Eventual APRC champion Gaurav Gill was the outstanding driver on day two, winning all seven special stages at the wheel of his ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000.

FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), overall standings manufacturers' championship after 3 of 6 events:

1. ŠKODA, 114 points; 2. Mitsubishi, 62; 3. Proton, 52; 4. Renault, 45; 5. Subaru, 25

FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC), overall standings drivers' championship after 3 of 6 events:

1. Jan Kopecký, 105; 2. Gaurav Gill, 66; 3. Mark Pedder, 62; 4. Michael Young, 52;
5. Tom Wilde 45

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