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ERC Q&A: Jan Kopecký

A former winner of the FIA European Rally Championship, ŠKODA Motorsport's Jan Kopecký is the most successful driver in Barum Czech Rally Zlín history with sixth outright wins. This is what the 36-year-old has has to say ahead of his home round of the ERC from 24-26 August.

No driver has won Barum Czech Rally Zlín more times than you so what makes you so successful?
"I like the kind of stages, really fast and bumpy. When I started in Czech all the roads are like this, it's my home rally and maybe this is a reason. You need to have a really good car and for sure a good team behind you. And also the co-driver because the rhythm of the reading is really fast and you have to adapt the notes because if you don't take it in, there is no chance to get it into your head. Everything has to be in advance but the car has to work very well because you need a huge confidence on those bumpy roads."

You are unbeaten in Czech Republic in 22 rallies - an amazing achievement but how much pressure are you under to continue that run?
"This number is really amazing and I think it will not be so easy for another driver to repeat this in the future. But thanks also to ŠKODA because ŠKODA has really great cars, we have a trust in the car. We know it doesn't break down and we know we can over big rocks or big bumps and it's working well. It's not only my work, it's the team work."

Alexey Lukyanuk was a big threat to you in Zlín last season. What do you think of him as a driver and competitor?
"He's a really special guy and I think he wants to win this rally. He's saying it's his most favourite one and I think he will do everything to beat us. For sure we will not give up and we will fight for the win again."

How excited are you by taking on Dani Sordo on home soil?
"It's really good he's coming to the rally because it means it's a really prestigious rally. I know Dani for many years because I have been competing with him many times in the past. The Czech fans are really excited about this great news because they will have the chance to see one of the best Tarmac drivers ever on the Barum Rally and this is really impressive."

What advice would you give him about the event if he asked you?
"I think he has enough experience not to ask be about anything but if he has any questions for sure he can ask me. It's no problem for me!"

How will you prepare for the rally - for example do you have a specific test planned?
"Basically no apart from the big test I have in Germany! It's not the same car but the same set-up and I can get some knowledge of the stages, especially in Baumholder because they are also very bumpy. But nothing special. The set-up will be very similar to what we use in Czech all the time."

Does it help you in terms of the momentum to be coming from one rally to another?
"Yes but for sure it's quite difficult because the timing is quite short between the two rallies. We are coming back late Sunday evening, just before midnight and on Monday we have to move fast to Zlín. This is not so high and if the temperature is so high I guess I will be tired. But I believe we are prepared for this and let's say it like this: the rally in Germany is good preparation for the Barum Rally."

Finally, there is a young Czech driver - Filip Mares - who is showing lots of promise. What do you think of his performances so far and potential for the future?
"I hope, I really hope because in Czech we are missing some young talent to fight with me or with Pech. Hopefully he's the next one. He's doing really good steps, he's learning from rally to rally. For sure Barum will be difficult for him but if he has big motivation, big balls you can do some good times on the Barum Rally for sure."

Zdroj: fiaerc.com