IRC Round 8, 21 – 23 August, based in Zlin, Czech Republic - Škoda Motorsport’s home round Škoda’s Jan Kopecky just five points behind IRC leader Škoda Motorsport is set to take on the largest field in IRC history at the Barum Czech Rally Zlin,

Škoda will start two entries in their Fabia Super 2000 rally cars: Czech driver Jan Kopecky, Škoda’s tarmac expert and Finn, Juho Hänninen, Škoda’s gravel ace.  Jan Kopecky sits just five points behind current series leader Kris Meeke with three rounds remaining, and as his team-mate Juho Hänninen suggested, there is enormous pressure for the 27-year-old to soak up.

“The pressure will be on Jan because he is a Czech driver in a Czech car and is very quick,” Skoda’s Finnish gravel star said. “For me, it will be my first time there so I am not expecting anything too much. A top-five finish would be good.”

Following on from Škoda’s one-two finish in Rally Russia last month, the team is looking forward to their home rally with great anticipation.

The Barum Czech Rally Zlin gets underway in the town centre of Zlin this evening, Friday 21 August with the ceremonial start at 20:57 leading into a fabulous spectator-friendly Superspecial stage in the city.

On Saturday 22 August, Leg 1 continues from 08:00 and the event continues on Sunday 23 August back in Zlin at 16:00. The rally will receive extensive coverage on the official series website irc-series.com and on the Barum Rally Zlin’s own site, barum.rally.cz

Eurosport will once again be broadcasting the best of the action throughout the event with live coverage from the end of Leg 1 and Leg 2.

IRC Drivers’ Championship Positions after 7 of 11 events: 1 Kris Meeke (UK) 34pts 2 Jan Kopecky (CZ) 29 3 Giandomenico Basso (I) 27 = Freddy Loix (B) 27 5 Nicolas Vouilloz (F) 19 6 Juho Hanninen (FIN) 14