Czech rally news

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Originally Posted by PLuto

Pontus is very well experienced factory driver with lot of experience in WRC and also some czech events.

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I expect you to mean this sarcastic, not to inform me about who Pontus is and what experience he has.
But; It is often mentioned that some rally is very special (in comparison to some average?).
I would like to say that asphaltrally in ex-Czech Republic and Ireland is very special for northern Scandinavian drivers. The reason is because hwat we in Norway, Sweden and Finland call tele, tjele or tæle which means frozen ground. Because of this problem, small or relatively little used roads will always be dirt roads. When the "tæle" goes (melt and disappear), incorrect or poorly constructed asphalt roads will fall apart. When building asphalt roads, these will be relatively good and with good even asphalt everywhere. And in order to withstand the mentioned tele they will also be extremely expensive to build.
For this reason we have very few if any roads, similar to what we meet in, as previously mentioned, such as the Czech Republic or Ireland. It will also be very unfamiliar with several types of asphalt (with different grips) in one and the same stage.

Video Rally Hustopeče 2017:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGibZa7lpPQ&t

On Saturday since 14:23 Rally Bohemia online: https://rally-base.com/2017/rally-bohemia-2017/

This time without me because I was invited to a wedding party.

Watching the results from Bohemia, who is this Szeja guy? Haven't noticed him before but setting some very good times.

Szeja is Polish. He used to drive gr.N Subaru last year. He is doing really good progress. Last event in Hustopeče he was actually ahead of Tidemand but went off a bit on the last stage under pressure from Pontus.

Pity this rally was mostly decided by weather on SS3 when it started raining in that way that Kopecký had the best conditions, Pech worse and every other driver even worse than that.

Kopecký totally dominant. Great result for Szeja and also Kresta after three years long pause and first time with R5 car (just like many he lost over one minute on SS3 alone but he was 2nd fastest in 2nd leg alone). Rather bad rally for Jakeš who made several mistakes. Strange retirement of Dohnal. He run out of time due to being stopped by police on the road section. According to the rumors he was overtaking four cars in a row where overtaking is forbidden and one of those cars was disguised police one. Odložilík retired after a crash into chicane.

Kopáček retired on the last stage with electric problem from first place in gr.N. Březík therefore won again.

Mareš on his home event clearly fastest 2WD driver but who surprised nicely was Furuseth who finished 4th when he lost third only by 0,2 seconds on the very last city stage.

1. Kopecký (Fabia R5) 1:34:23,3
2. Pech (Fiesta R5) +1:09,5
3. Černý (Fabia R5) +1:37,0
4. Szeja (Fiesta R5) +1:45,7 (10 sec penalty)
5. Kresta (Fabia R5) +2:06,7
6. Jakeš (Fiesta R5) +2:57,1
7. Vojtěch (206 WRC) +3:07,1 (10 sec penalty)
8. Štajf (Fabia R5) +3:26,9
9. Tarabus (Fabia S2000) +4:20,7
10. Sýkora (Fabia R5) +4:58,4

SS wins: Kopecký 7, Szeja 2, Kresta 1, Černý 1

Onboards:
Kresta, SS7 (totally different stage than others with extremely fast sections): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt3Ro0ImMYY
Pech, SS8 (city stage): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGa2RWeGTmI
Kopáček, SS6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUlhNoIrdEU
Szeja, SS1 (city stage): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXNObKMT_E8
Jakeš, SS2 (possibly the mot technical stage in our championship): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUr-Ub_jLUk

Indeed, Kresta quickly found the rhythm.
BTW, are there any rumors about T.Kostka entering rally Barum??

Afaik he wants to drive Barum (Kresta too).

Szeja is a young guy? Certainly promising.

Also another quite good performance by Cerny, he should be a frontrunner in JERC U28 on Rzeszow and Barum.

Still waiting for Pech to gel with his Fiesta.. maybe it's not going to happen.

Surprised Skoda didn't put much effort into Bohemia this year. I know Tidemand and Veiby were busy in Poland but in the past we have seen them bring guys like Wiegand or Scandola IIRC.

Szeja is 34, no young guy.

I just watched the onboards and the one of Kopáček is awesome. Take a look at least after 10:20 and 11:15. Worth watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUlhNoIrdEU

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Originally Posted by RS

Watching the results from Bohemia, who is this Szeja guy? Haven't noticed him before but setting some very good times.

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Szeja are two brothers from Poland. They were competing with smaller cars for a few years in Poland (Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta R2, Citroen C2 R2, Honda Civic, etc.). In 2014 they won Polish Ford Fiesta Trophy and decided to switch to group N Subaru Impreza and move to the Czech championship. There they made a significant progress and managed to win Czech group N championship. This year they switched to Ford Fiesta R5 and the progress in their results is even more impressive.

If you want to see their driving, here are two videos from Bohemia Rally:
Day 1:
https://www.facebook.com/Szeja/videos/1362416750479843/
Day 2:
https://www.facebook.com/Szeja/videos/1363207230400795/

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Originally Posted by Mirek

Kopecký totally dominant.

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Yes, it's a total domination. I've just read at http://rajdy.autoklub.pl/news/kopeck...mistrzem,77648 that:
- it was Kopecky's 5th win in a row this year
- it is Kopecky's 3rd Czech championship in a row
- it was Kopecky's 15th win in a row.

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Originally Posted by Jarek Z

Yes, it's a total domination. I've just read at http://rajdy.autoklub.pl/news/kopeck...mistrzem,77648 that:
- it was Kopecky's 5th win in a row this year
- it is Kopecky's 3rd Czech championship in a row
- it was Kopecky's 15th win in a row.

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That is not good for the championship....Czech championship was one of the most attractive and interesting regarding the results...now it just attractive because of a breathtaking car park....

Even though Kopecký keeps winning everything it would be worse without him. Yes, he seems to be unbeatable but on the other hand isn't it strange that a three years retired guy who moreover drives first rally with R5 is second fastest already in his second day? Or how about another retired guy with ancient 206 WRC? I think that it's good to have a benchmark in Kopecký because others clearly see where they are. Frankly I don't believe that Kopecký became so much better than he was few years back. Of course he has an advantage in works car, plenty of tests etc. but he used to have same advantage with S2000. I think that the current level of competitors isn't as high as it was back then. Kresta retired, Pech lost one year with GT (I really believe it didn't help him at all to loose one season in which he could drive and develop R5 for himself) and the younger drivers aren't fast enough (or at least consistent enough). Let's hope new generation rises with guys like Mareš, Kupec brothers or Kamenec. I really hope I can see someone who is able to beat Jan before he retires.

As a spectator of our events I tell You that in the moment Kopecký is by far the most spectacular driver on our stages and he also brings the real wow effect which comes rarely from the others.

Mirek my impression is that Kopecky have developed last 3 years(comparison with Pech)

It's a pity Skoda don't have an R2 car where they could create a ladder for young Czech drivers like PSA do.

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Originally Posted by RS

It's a pity Skoda don't have an R2 car where they could create a ladder for young Czech drivers like PSA do.

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Yes, this is big fail. There was attempt of private Fabia R2, but factory was not helping. Our federation was also in discussion with Skoda factory about some cheap car for motorsport, also without success...

Spectacular video from JNK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY2qzVvzo3o

First of all, I would like to congratulate with a well-organized rally (maybe it's always this well-organized).
I was also present at many special stages and I do not think there are many (if any) drivers who would follow Kopecky in this rally.
But there were also many who drove very well in some places, but what they lack (as you write Mirek) is consistency. I was very impressed with many drivers.
Again, they have the speed but lack the consistency.

https://www.ewrc.cz/images/2017/bohemia/roman2.jpg

In the middle on the wheelchair, that's Petr Gross. It's been nearly 3 years since the accident.

A lot of new onboards from Rally Bohemia: https://www.mediasport.cz/rally/cesk.../onboardy.html

For example the decisive SS3 with Kresta (hard slicks on wet): https://www.mediasport.cz/rally/cesk...rdy/10359.html

Rally Jeseníky (Rallysprint series) is canceled due to financial reasons.

Guys, if there is someone of You, who sometimes go to Czech rallies, don't hesitate and visit Raly Pačejov which is about to be run on 29th July. Nice stages, spectator friendly and this year with great entry list for a sprint event! Plenty of crews go there to test for Barum, often with unusual cars. It's not yet seeded but just some top crews...

Koči - Fabia R5
Dohnal - Focus WRC
Tarabus - Fabia R5
Habaj - Fiesta R5
Vlček - Fiesta R5
Odložilík - Fiesta R5
Kahle - Fabia R5
Sýkora - Fabia R5
Trněný - Fabia WRC
Gabryś - Fiesta R5

Alltogether 12 R5, 2 WRC, 2 S2000, 2 GT. Also in 2WD Mareš, Smékal, Kamenec, Radomír Kupec or first time this year Káňa with Sierra Cosworth in historics.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mirek

Guys, if there is someone of You, who sometimes go to Czech rallies, don't hesitate and visit Raly Pačejov which is about to be run on 29th July. Nice stages, spectator friendly and this year with great entry list for a sprint event! Plenty of crews go there to test for Barum, often with unusual cars. It's not yet seeded but just some top crews...

Koči - Fabia R5
Dohnal - Focus WRC
Tarabus - Fabia R5
Habaj - Fiesta R5
Vlček - Fiesta R5
Odložilík - Fiesta R5
Kahle - Fabia R5
Sýkora - Fabia R5
Trněný - Fabia WRC
Gabryś - Fiesta R5

Alltogether 12 R5, 2 WRC, 2 S2000, 2 GT. Also in 2WD Mareš, Smékal, Kamenec, Radomír Kupec or first time this year Káňa with Sierra Cosworth in historics.

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T.Kostka??

No Kostka in Pačejov. I think that he did Pačejov as a test for Barum only two times in all those years so it means nothing regarding Barum ;)

Seeded entry list for Pačejov: https://www.facebook.com/19109370094...type=3&theater

Results of Rally Pačejov tomorrow here: https://rally-base.com/2017/rally-pacejov-2017/

Rally Pačejov was a one man show of Jan Dohnal. He won this rally already last year but this time he was totally dominant winning all stages. Of course he has a WRC car but still I have never seen him driving like today. Very confident, very fast and in the same time very spectacular (which alone is something - with Focus). In the battle of R5 drivers Tarabus managed to keep Koči behind himself for the whole rally. There was also a great battle in 2WD between Smékal, Kamenec and Mareš. Kamenec in the end managed to beat Mareš in R2 class (but I don't know whether Kamenec drove racing fuel or stock one like Mareš who took the event as a test for Barum). What is interesting is that third in R2 was 16 years old Petr Semerád.

1. Dohnal (Focus WRC) 39:34,7
2. Tarabus (Fabia R5) +42,8
3. Koči (Fabia R5) +50,4
4. Vlček (Fiesta R5) +1:16,9
5. Odložilík (Fiesta R5) +1:28,5 (I think he had some engine issue on the last stage)
6. Sýkora (Fabia R5) +1:47,9
7. Kahle (Fabia R5) +2:23,3
8. Trněný (Fabia WRC) +2:52,9 (some problem on the last stage, possibly damaged suspension or differential)
9. Habaj (Fiesta R5) +2:58,2 (I had a feeling that the car lacked a lot of torque)
10. Rujbr (Fabia R5) +3:12,0

Nobody from top drivers retired.

Nice video Rally Pačejov: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC4QT1I733w

Great onboard of Koči from Pačejov: https://www.mediasport.cz/rally/cesk...rdy/10405.html

Onboard of Kopáček from the best stage of Czech rallysprint season (for the first time ever in this direction): https://www.mediasport.cz/rally/cesk...rdy/10421.html

Martin Rada, the one and only FIA-eligible Alfa Romeo 147 driver is changing his machinery. This is his new car.

https://scontent.fprg1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...5a&oe=5A213651

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mirek

Martin Rada, the one and only FIA-eligible Alfa Romeo 147 driver is changing his machinery. This is his new car.

https://scontent.fprg1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...5a&oe=5A213651

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Staying with Italian. Nice!

Rally Příbram, last event of Czech championship tomorrow online: https://rally-base.com/2017/svk-rally-pribram-2017/

Short after the start of the video You can an unfortunate moment which lead to retirement of Odložilík. He hit a huge stone lying on the asphalt road. Allegedly the stone was touched by Pech's car and from him got on the road. Sadly the TV crew didn't remove it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf1QEKfJ8rM

EDIT: Video with Pech hitting the stone and moving it on the road.

https://www.facebook.com/mediasport....1069663930826/

Very difficult Rally Příbram ended. Příbram traditionally struggle with less entries as it's the last event of the year and it wasn't different this year. Despite that it was quite action packed event and very difficult one thanks to difficult route and bad weather. In the end Jan Dohnal for the first time ever won a championship event. At the beginning Pech was close behind but already on stage 3 (a new and very hard stage) he picked a puncture. Surprisingly third overall was at the time Tarabus but he hit the same stone as Pech. Third one to do the same was Szeja who even changed it in the stage and lost way more time. Previously shown strange situation led to early retirement of Odložilík. Another one who crashed out was Vlček who was battling with Štajf for third place overall. Pech tried to get back in the fight for victory but despite a spin and twice stalled engine of Dohnal he didn't manage to do so due to own driving mistakes. He crashed into a chicane and later missed a junction and spun in high speed. Special price goes to Pernica (Adam Cup) who managed to roll on the road section before SS1.

1. Dohnal (Focus WRC) 1:11:55,8
2. Pech (Fiesta R5) +1:27,5 (15 sec pen. and around 40 sec. lost by puncture)
3. Štajf (Fabia R5) +2:19,6 (10 sec pen.)
4. Tarabus (Fabia S2000) +2:39,3 (roughly a minute lost by a puncture)
5. Trojan (Fabia R5) +3:25,1
6. Kopáček (Impreza STi gr.N) +3:34,3
7. Szeja (Fiesta R5) +4:04,8 (roughly 2,5 min lost by a puncture)
8. Pešl (Evo IX gr.N) +6:12,6 (5 sec pen.)
9. Trněný (Fabia WRC) +6:17,7 (tech. problems)
10. Pokorný (Fabia R5) +7:10,7

Overall a season spectacular to watch but a boring to follow online. Also very frustrating one for Pech I think because he didn't win a single rally and together with last year it's already two years without victory. Let's see next year possibly without Kopecký...

I think Dohnal win already last year of Rally Přibram, so this was his second win with Focus WRC in MCR.And he also win some sprintrally didnt he?

You are right, he won Příbram already last year. Sprints don't count into the championship.

spectacular video from Rally Příbram including a lot of mistakes and broken wheels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfgshLiXS8I

As usually with JNK it's chronologic, opening footage is from shakedown.

Great onboard of Tarabus from SS1 where he scored 3rd time overall with old S2000: https://www.mediasport.cz/rally/cesk...rdy/10525.html Especially last 30 seconds are worth watching!

More onboard slowly coming here but so far no Pech or Dohnal: https://www.mediasport.cz/rally/cesk.../onboardy.html

I simply love onboards with S2000 cars especially when it's from crazy stages :)
https://www.mediasport.cz/rally/cesk...rdy/10539.html