Kopecky first APRC win after protest at Wurth FIA Rally 2014

Friday, 20 June 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Zech Republic driver, Jan Kopecky, has won a rain-shortened Rally of New Caledonia, round two of the 2014 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, after quickly coming to grips with the event on his first visit.

His team MRF Skoda Fabia S2000 team-mate, Gaurav Gill, finished in second place after an altercation with a tree on the first day dropped him from the lead.

Kopecky and co-driver, Pavel Dresler, the reigning European Rally Champions, eventually finished the rally six minutes and 12 seconds clear of the Indian/Australian combination of Gill and Glenn Macneall. The two pairings are now equal on points after two rounds of the championship. Despite his problems in New Caledonia, Gill is confident that he can bounce back in Australia and take his second victory of the season. For further updates visit www.fiaaprc.com. The Asia-Pacific Rally Championship is in Australia this weekend for the International Rally of Queensland, where Team MRF drivers Gaurav Gill and Jan Kopecky resume their battle for supremacy.

With one win a piece from the first two rounds, in New Zealand and New Caledonia, Gill and Kopecky come into round three of the championship equal on points, with both needing a win to move into a clear lead. Driving their Team MRF Skoda Fabia Super 2000s, their championship battle has, not surprisingly, been close. Both drivers are the class of the APRC field, with Gill the reigning title holder, and Kopecky last year’s FIA European Rally Champion.