11 Steps to Victory

ŠKODA Motorsport has won its third WRC 2 championship title in a row, as well as the second drivers’ title. The ŠKODA Team’s drivers and managers will tell you how much work was involved in achieving this success.

13. 11. 2017 Lifestyle SPORTS

“Monte Carlo was a remarkable event for two reasons: First, our factory cars had the same design in white, blue and red as Blahna's ŠKODA 130 RS had when he won 40 years ago in his category. Second, Andreas Mikkelsen made a welcome return to ŠKODA Motorsport, dominating the WRC 2 competition right from the start and winning in a convincing way. Jan Kopecký delivered a strong performance, as well, and finished second. In the overall standings, Mikkelsen finished seventh, Kopecký eighth. What a fantastic start for the new season! It is really a highlight of my motorsport career to date to achieve such a great result in this legendary rally.”

“On Corsica, Andreas Mikkelsen and co- driver Anders Jæger-Synnevaag drove their second time in 2017 for ŠKODA Motorsport and were again in a class of their own. They led from start to finish with their ŠKODA FABIA R5 to score a convincing victory that never looked to be at risk in the WRC 2 category at the Tour de Corse. Jan Kopecký and co- driver Pavel Dresler put in an impressive performance in the second ŠKODA FABIA R5 after having had steering problems on the first day. The fight back – including two fastest stage times – put them in seventh place in the WRC 2 rankings, thereby scoring important championship points.“

“It was very tough for me and Jonas to find the right rhythm on the tough gravel stages. Our competitors were facing all kind of problems, so our lead was never in danger. All we had to do was to stay focused and to avoid any stupid mistakes. At the end, we won with a margin of more than ten minutes. All top five positions in the WRC 2 category were taken by ŠKODA teams. The ŠKODA FABIA R5 proved to be rock solid on the tough gravel stages in Argentina, even as all the other R5 crews struggled with the reliability of their rally cars.“

“Having achieved an early win in the WRC 2 Championship, we could drive without any tactical considerations and really enjoyed the nice gravel stages of the Wales Rally GB. On the second to last evening stage of the Saturday leg, we defeated our competitors in the thick fog by more than half a minute! This showed the perfect teamwork between Jonas and me. We more than doubled our lead and could celebrate our fifth season win. At the finish of the rally I was told that with eight WRC 2 wins in total I am now the most successful driver in this category. What a nice way to finish such a wonderful season!”