ŠkodaPortal.cz Simply clever

Sibiu, 27 July 2013 – Jan Kopecký und Pavel Dresler (CZ/CZ) put in a superb performance to take their fourth victory of the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) season at the Sibiu Rally in Romania. This latest success has extended the ŠKODA pairing's lead at the top of the overall standings and gives them an excellent opportunity to win the Championship.

"That was a really tough race – the course is demanding and the temperatures are high. With lots of loose stones around, there is a high risk of puncture. Yet we were able to overcome all that and secure another ERC victory for ŠKODA this year. It's fantastic," said Kopecký. "I would also like to thank my co-driver Pavel and the entire team, because in these conditions everyone has to give 100 per cent."

In the first outing in Romania, the team once again produced a convincing display in the ŠKODA Fabia S 2000. After a careful start spent establishing a 15.4-second gap between them and Frenchman Francois Delecour over the first day, Kopecký and Dresler continued to extend their lead in the second half of the rally.

The Czech team avoided making any mistakes on the extremely difficult gravel dirt roads, which are also littered with large rocks. Cheered on by thousands of fans engrossed in the action, they were able to win ten of the thirteen stages. One stage was cancelled due to safety concerns.

The triumph in Romania was the ŠKODA duo's fourth in the ERC this season, after victories in Austria, the Canary Islands and the Azores; the Czech team also had a second place finish on Corsica. This represents a perfect start to the second half of the season for Kopecký, who has now extended his lead at the top of the Driver's Championship. The Sibiu Rally was the first of six ERC events taking place in the second half of the season; the best four results will go towards the final standings.

The ERC's next stop is in the Czech Republic for the Barum Rally, which will be taking place from the 30 August to 1 September. ŠKODA's Kopecký and Dresler will have home advantage in what will be the stand out race of their season.  Kopecký commented: "Although the pressure on us will be incredibly high, we're looking forward to our home rally."

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