ERC – Skoda like at home?

When we look at the Barum Rally prize list, the verdict is clear. Over the last five seasons, Skoda has won... five times, notably thanks to Czech driver Jan Kopecky, winner of three of the last five editions. This season, the reigning champion of theERC no longer operates on European roads, but has traveled to the special stages of the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, still on behalf of Skoda. However, he will make a return which will be carefully scrutinized at Barum, the Czech opening on a Skoda Fabia S2000, fitted with a 1,6 l engine, the same one which will equip the future R5 weapon of the satellite brand of Volkswagen. “It won't be like officially racing, but the procedures will be the same as for a rally normal. » Kopecky explains.

For his part, the leader of the championship, the Finn Esapekka Lappi, who worked a lot on the Fabia R5 during the summer, will return to the wheel of the S2000, and will aim to consolidate his lead over his German teammate Sepp Wiegand, but especially over the Peugeot 208 T16 R5 of the Irishman Craig Breen who should make his return to competition after his back injury, contracted in WRC in Finland at the end of July. “The Barum Rally is one of the most difficult on the calendar, with fast sections through forests on narrow roads, says Lappi. It requires 100% concentration every second. » We will also have to watch the Ford Fiesta of Kajetan Kajetanowicz and the other Peugeot 208 T16 R5 of the Dutchman Kevin Abbring, always very comfortable on asphalt. Among the Tricolores, it is Robert Consani and his Peugeot 207 S2000 who will carry French hopes to the Barum for the general, while Stéphane Lefebvre will evolve with his Peugeot 208 R2 for a class victory.

The rally will begin on Friday with a single SS, before the real start of hostilities on Saturday.