Czech rally news

[Mirek]

Mirek Jakeš won Rally Kopná and proved again that the Hankooks are strong in wet and cold weather (unlike on the dry Valašská Rally). Erik Cais in his first ever 4WD start brought the biggest suprise. He won three of seven stages overall and was able to keep the pace with Jakeš through the whole event. He made a spin on one stage and lost roughly ten seconds. Jakeš on the other hand got five seconds penalty for hitting a chicane. Vlček with Hyundai R5 finished third when he managed to get over Tlusťák in Hyundai WRC (2016 spec.) in the very last stage. Kostka retired after first stage when his rim broke. He said he would prefer to start in another event with the same car instead of fighting a lost battle here. So let's hope he brings this car again elsewhere. I think that everybody expected somewhat more from Marczyk, Odložilík or Melichárek.

Adam Březík (son of Martin Březík) won 2WD classification with a large margin.

Dominik Stříteský won the Opel Adam Cup.

To me completely unknown French driver Stéphane Scellier won historic classification (after some problems of his opponents but still it's unusual to have a winner who is not known to anyone).

Final results:
1. Jakeš (Fabia R5) 39:12,5 (5 sec penalty)
2. Cais (Fiesta R5) +10,8 (one spin)
3. Vlček (i20 R5) +18,0
4. Tlusťák (i20 WRC) +20,6
5. Tarabus (Fabia R5) +41,3
6. Březík M. (Fabia R5) +43,0
7. Odložilík (Fabia R5) +1:00,4
8. Melichárek (Fiesta WRC) +1:05,4
9. Marczyk (Fabia R5) +1:14,1
10. Rujbr (Fabia R5) +1:35,5