Kopecký proved to be the driver to beat as the 11-time event winner set the pace on Zlín’s tricky asphalt roads that played host to the sixth round of the FIA European Rally Championship.
“I think I have enough experience, I’m not getting nervous because I love this sport and when everything is working well, it is a passion. Tomorrow will be an even more tricky day,” said Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 driver Kopecký.
The Michelin-equipped Kopecký claimed two of the three Saturday morning tests to open up a slender 1.2sec lead over Simon Wagner and Andrea Mabellini at midday service. Kopecký continued his charge as the fan favourite completed a second pass through the stages, held in stifling hot conditions.
The 2013 ERC champion was denied a stage win on SS5 by 0.1sec by ERC points leader Miko Marczyk, but more importantly he was faster than Mabellini and Wagner to extend his advantage to 2.7sec. Kopecký claimed his third stage win in SS6 by 0.2sec from Wagner, to extend his advantage to 3.9s, as the latter moved into second outright, while Mabellini dropped to third.
The final stage of the loop, a second pass through Bunč, provided plenty of drama. Wagner was up on the splits and appeared set to take the rally lead from Kopecký only to suffer a front left puncture in the rough four kilometre gravel section of the test. The Austrian driver then survived a wild brush with a bank, as he dropped to fourth overall.
Jon Armstrong vaulted from fourth to second after winning SS7
© ERC
M-Sport-Ford World Rally Team driver Jon Armstrong had been locked in a battle for fourth with local favourite Erik Cais. Armstrong’s Pirelli-shod Ford Fiesta Rally2 held a 1.3sec margin over the Hyundai driver after winning the first pass through Bunč, only for Cais to leap ahead of Armstrong by 0.1sec after SS6.
However, Armstrong fought back on SS7 and was able to repeat his stunning pace from the morning to win the stage by 2.8sec to leap from fourth to second overall, 6.5sec behind Kopecký. Mabellini ended the day in third, 13.0sec in arrears.
“I definitely would have taken that this morning. The stages today have really suited me and the car, and tomorrow’s stages will suit me too,” said Armstrong.
Cais’ podium hopes were dealt a blow when he also suffered damage to his left front tyre that demoted the Czech driver to sixth overall, behind top Hankook runner and compatriot Filip Mareš.
Championship leader Miko Marczyk ended the day in seventh
© ERC
Marczyk headed to service in seventh after opting to take a cautious run to avoid tyre damage in the day’s final stage. The top 10 was completed by Adam Březík, Ján Kundlák and Jakub Matulka.
Miklós Csomós, making his return to ERC action, retired from the action on SS2. Csomós was 400 metres from the finish when he ran wide and clattered into trees that took a wheel off his Team MRF Tyres-entered Škoda, causing the stage to be halted for a brief period.
Simone Tempestini also hit trouble in SS2 that resulted in the Romanian driver retiring with a suspension issue.
Last year’s winner Dominik Stříteský was locked in the fight at the front until SS3 when an overshoot at a chicane triggered damage to three of his four tyres, prompting an early retirement from fourth. Stříteský will rejoin the rally on Sunday.
Chris Ingram endured an eventful return to the stages after a nine month hiatus. The British driver was forced to change a damaged front left tyre in SS2, and was hampered by a bent steering rack and a power steering issue. Ingram then suffered tyre damage in SS7.
Philip Allen exited 11th position following an off-road excursion in SS6 that cost more than four minutes. Despite reaching the stage end, damage to the roll cage of the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 inflicted by a tree, forced Allen to retire.
Martin Vlček led the Master ERC class with a 2min 31.1sec advantage over Darius Biedrzyński. Hubert Kowalczyk headed Casey Jay Coleman by 54.9sec in ERC3 after Adrian Rzeźnik retired in SS7. A broken driveshaft for Calle Carlberg handed the Junior ERC lead to Ireland’s Craig Rahill.
A further six stages comprising 100.9 kilometres await the crews on Sunday to conclude the rally. The action begins at 0803 local time.