Jan Kopecky untouchable at Barum Rally

Leader at the end of the super special, Jan Kopecky made good use of the difficult road conditions to isolate himself at the top of the standings. His opponents, local or not, have never managed to compete with the experienced multiple champion who will aim for a 10th success tomorrow. Raphaël Astier and Laurent Pellier dominated their respective categories.

Published on 27/08/2022 à 18:01

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A little over 97 timed km were on the program for this first day. The loop of three stages run once in the morning and then again in the afternoon was the main course of a stage that started yesterday evening in the streets of Zlin. Leader at the end of this night section, Jan Kopecky began his Saturday cautiously. Scattered showers seriously complicated tire choices. Over the 12,73 km from Brezova, the crews had to face soggy sections, others, wet, and a few dry turns at the end. The experienced Kopecky took no risks, ceding command to Adam Brezik. Finding more stable conditions, Kopecky went on the attack. Signing 4 of the 6 best possible times, he built up a lead of 34s6 over Erik Cais. Announced as one of the favorites, the local hero never managed to compete with Kopecky, but it is the only Fiesta in the middle of 7 Skodas. On the last step of the podium, the other Czech Filip Mares had an eventful day with several errors. With 13s6 behind Cais, he can still believe in 2^e place. On this very difficult terrain, Efren Llarena did not release his 2022 title in the best possible way. A trip into the trees during SS3 took him and co-driver Sara Fernandez to hospital for a check-up. Habitual amateurERC, Ken Torn also retired following a rollover.

In the RGT Cup Raphaël Astier gave his opponents no chance at the Barum Rally (Photo: Red Bull)

In the RGT Cup category, Manu Guigou failed to maintain his leadership acquired on Friday evening. Not having made the best choice of tires, Guigou gave way to a very fast Raphaël Astier. With his Alpine, the latter is 10^e of the general classification with 2min10s1 on Guigou.

At Barum Rally Pellier Laurent leads the ERC4 category (Photo: Red Bull)

In ERC4, Laurent Pellier was able to perfectly exploit his Corsa Rally4 to distance himself from his opponents. He has a 43s9 margin over Andrea Mabellini, his most dangerous opponent. 95,88 km timed are on the program for the 2^e stage which will include 6 SS including the formidable Pindula (SS10/13).

General classification at the end of the first stage

1.	#4	Kopecký Jan – Hloušek Jan Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo	RC2	1:04:06.9		99.8
2.	#6	Cais Erik – Těšínský Petr Ford Fiesta Rally2	RC2	1:04:41.5	+34.6 +34.6	99.0 0.32
3. +1	#12	Mareš Filip – Bucha Radovan Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo	RC2	1:04:55.1	+48.2 +13.6	98.6 0.45
4. +1	#11	Wagner Simon – Winter Gerald Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo	RC2	1:05:04.6	+57.7 +9.5	98.4 0.54
5. +1	#9	Herczig Norbert – Ferencz Ramón Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo	RC2	1:07:09.7	+ 3: 02.8 + 2: 05.1	95.3 1.71
6. +2	#7	Campedelli Simone – Canton Tania Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo	RC2	1:07:15.7	+ 3: 08.8 +6.0	95.2 1.77
7.	#5	Battistolli Alberto – Scattolin S. Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo	RC2	1:07:19.6	+ 3: 12.7 +3.9	95.1 1.81
8. +2	#15	von Thurn und Taxis A. – Ettel B. Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo	RC2	1:07:46.1	+ 3: 39.2 +26.5	94.5 2.05
9. +2	#17	László Martin – Berendi Dávid Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo	RC2	1:07:48.5	+ 3: 41.6 +2.4	94.4 2.08
10. −1	#20	Astier Raphaël – Vauclare F. Alpine A110 Rally RGT	RGT	1:07:49.3	+ 3: 42.4 +0.8	94.4 2.08
11. +1	#16	Vlček Martin – Skripová Alexandra Hyundai i20 R5	RC2	1:08:43.1	+ 4: 36.2 +53.8	93.2 2.59
12. +1	#25	Pellier Laurent – Pelamourgues M. Opel Corsa Rally4	RC4	1:09:34.8	+ 5: 27.9 +51.7	92.0 3.07
13. +1	#19	Guigou Emmanuel – Bronner Kévin Alpine A110 Rally RGT	RGT	1:09:59.4	+ 5: 52.5 +24.6	91.5 3.30
14. +1	#27	Mabellini Andrea – Lenzi Virginia Renault Clio Rally4	RC4	1:10:18.7	+ 6: 11.8 +19.3	91.0