Reigning Czech champion Jan Kopecký dominated the jubilee 50th edition of Rally Český Krumlov and claimed a record eighth triumph at this competition. At the same time, the 41-year-old former Škoda factory driver consolidated his lead in the running order of the series.
Aleš Jirásek finished second with an abysmal loss of more than five minutes, while Věroslav Cvrček took third place. Both scored the most valuable results in their careers.
Kopecký, just like in the previous two MČR rallies this season, fought for the lead for a long time with Václav Pech, who beat him twice this year. But this time, the second outstanding character of the Czech competitions was stopped by technical problems in the ninth special stage, after which Pech had to retire from first place.
“It’s a shame that Vašek had to withdraw, we had a great fight together. I think the organizers succeeded in choosing this year’s tests, but in some places the sections were really fast. We managed the competition without any major problems, which is a credit to the whole team,” said Kopecký.
After Pech’s end in the competition, there was no longer any doubt about Kopecky’s next win and the defense of last year’s triumph in the south of Bohemia. He also recorded the withdrawal of Dominik Stríteský and Adam Březík, who held on to the medal positions in the first half of today’s second stage. Kopecký dominated the final seven stages.
The driver of the Agrotec Škoda rally team not only scored a record-breaking eighth victory, but also took the triumph with the biggest lead – 5:22.5 minutes. He surpassed Ladislav Křeček, who won this competition in 1992 by 5:07 minutes.
“I remember a situation four years ago when I didn’t even go to the announcement ceremony and immediately went to see my wife, who was in the maternity ward. And today is our Josífek’s fourth birthday,” smiled Kopecký. His son’s birthday was also celebrated today in the team facilities.
While Kopecky’s win was sovereign, Jirásek and Cvrček fought hard for second place. Before the last erzeta, Cvrček was better, in the end Jirásek was happy. They were 2.8 seconds apart at the finish line.
“Perhaps some people thought my pace on Friday was cautious, but I decided that I wanted to finish in Krumlov and I subordinated everything to that. When the situation finally developed in our favor on Saturday afternoon, I tried to keep the rhythm and not do stupid things in the last laps. In the end we were lucky and unexpectedly improved in the last stint,” said the 33-year-old Jirásek, who is in the second season of the rally.
The domestic championship will continue in mid-June in Hustopeče.
Rallye Český Krumlov, a race of the championship of the Czech Republic in automobile competitions: 1. Kopecký, Hloušek (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) 1:26:32.5, 2. Jirásek, Machů -5:22.5, 3. Cvrček, Prokorát (all Škoda Fabia R5) -5:25.3, 4 . Baďura (Ford Fiesta R5) -9:23.9, 8. Dohnal, Švec (Peugeot 208 Rally4) -10:58.9.
Current standings of the MČR: 1. Kopecký 168, 2. Jirásek 100, 3. Vlček 84.
