During tests at the Zlín and San Remo Rallies, the Fabia Super 2000 impressively underlined its performance potential. After further extensive adjustments and more than 12,000 test kilometres the powerful motorsport performer is now ready. During the tests, rally icon Carlos Sainz lent valuable support.
The Škoda Fabia Super 2000 celebrated its highly impressive debut in January at one of the most demanding rally events – a rally with one of the longest traditions in the world. Two competition vehicles with the winged arrow on the grille started at the Monte Carlo Rally. Driven by the Finns Juho Hänninen and Mikko Markkula, as well as the Czech team Jan Kopecký and Petr Starý, the two fireballs took leading positions straight away. Hänninen steered his Škoda Fabia Super 2000 to the first place on the opening stage and, after initial technical problems, Kopecký advanced from 24th to 10th place.
Only an accident brought the furious run of the two Finns to an end and forced them to retire. The team Kopecký/Starý finished the classic rally, which this year was overshadowed by particularly difficult weather conditions, in an excellent fourth place. “The Fabia Super 2000 has shown how quick it is and confirmed our course of action”, was the comment of the happy Jan Kopecký after the finish on the excellent debut.
Michal Hrabánek, Head of Škoda Motorsport, commented on the performance of the manufacturer team at the Monte Carlo Rally with scarcely less satisfaction: “We are glad that we brought the first phase of the vehicle development to a successful end and that we can now concentrate fully on the next phase. The Fabia Super 2000 project has two main areas –participation at the rallies and the sale of the rally vehicles. Both suitably complement each other.”
“We are convinced that we have presented a competitive car, which can take on the best vehicles of this category. The performance of our team at the Monte Carlo rally has shown this. I believe that we have made a good impression, but it has also shown that there is still a lot of work to do and that we must maintain the respect towards our rivals.
“I would like to thank all the team members, the crews, the mechanics and other staff for the outstanding team work and I feel that our successful premiere is an excellent motivation for us all. I'm sure that the way we have presented the Škoda brand has met the expectations of the public.”
“We will now continue the progressive development of the Fabia Super 2000. This car can take part in national and international competitions under the direction of our worldwide sales partners and can also be used by private teams", says Eckhard Scholz, Board Member and Head of Technical Development at Škoda Auto in Mladá Boleslav.
[Source: Skoda]
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