Showing posts with label FIA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FIA. Show all posts
Monday, August 24, 2015
New Škoda Fabia R5 to celebrate World Rally Debut in Czech Republic.
- Jan Kopecký to drive the new rally car at the opening round of the Czech Rally Championship
- Hrabánek: “Pleased to be able to test the Fabia R5 at a rally”
- New racing car to see action in the WRC 2, APRC and Czech Rally Championship this season
The brand new ŠKODA Fabia R5 will make its debut on the international rally stage at the home of the manufacturer in the Czech Republic. Reigning Asia-Pacific champion Jan Kopecký (CZ) will be at the wheel of the new racing car on the 50th anniversary of the Rally Šumava Klatovy.
The works team’s green, white and black powerhouse is charged with continuing ŠKODA’s successful 114-year history in motorsport.
“We are delighted to now be able to test our new ŠKODA Fabia R5 at an actual rally, following the successful homologation by the International Automobile Federation FIA. It is obviously particularly symbolic that our first outing will be in the brand’s back yard in the Czech Republic,” said ŠKODA Motorsport Director Michal Hrabánek.
The plan for this year is to test the competitiveness of the new rally car around the world, starting with the opening race of the Czech Rally Championship (MČR).
ŠKODA Motorsport will field the high-tech four-wheel drive car in the WRC 2 category at selected rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), as well as in the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC). However, the focus is first on the car’s debut in ŠKODA’s native Czech Republic.
Appropriately, the cockpit will also be occupied by a Czech duo when the car makes its debut: experienced rally driver and reigning APRC champion Jan Kopecký and his co-driver Pavel Dresler will take control of the car, which is powered by the new 1.6-litre turbo engine, at the Rally Šumava Klatovy.
“We are obviously very proud to be the ones to herald the next chapter in ŠKODA’s rallying success story,” said Kopecký, who won the rally back in 2012.
The 50th anniversary of the event features 12 demanding special stages, consisting of 150.71 kilometres against the clock. Jan Kopecký and Pavel Dresler will start all six rounds of the Czech Rally Championship in ŠKODA’s new rally car.
Czech Rally Championship (MČR)
| Event Rally Šumava Klatovy Rally Český Krumlov Rally Hustopeče Rally Bohemia Barum Czech Rally Zlín Rally Příbram | Date 24.04.–25.04.2015 22.05.–23.05.2015 19.06.–20.06.2015 10.07.–12.07.2015 28.08.–30.08.2015 02.10.–04.10.2015 |
Did you know …
… the ŠKODA Fabia R5 was officially presented for the first time on 15th April? Around 50 international journalists slipped into the passenger seat at the test track in Bělá pod Bezdězem, about 20 km from the ŠKODA headquarters in Mladá Boleslav. The media experts were put through their paces as Jan Kopecký and Esapekka Lappi took them on a series of wild rides.
… the engine for the ŠKODA Fabia R5 was developed from scratch? The 1.6-litre turbo engine is a big change compared to the 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine used in the Fabia Super 2000.
The development process took advantage of synergies within the Volkswagen Group – after all, Volkswagen has won the World Rally Championship for the past two years and once again holds a commanding lead in the series this year.
… the software in the new cars comes from Magneti Marelli? However, it was adapted by ŠKODA to meet its own requirements.
… there is huge interest in the new rally car among customer teams? Over 100 enquiries have already been received in Mladá Boleslav, with at least 15 ŠKODA Fabia R5 scheduled to be delivered this year.
The numbers for the “Rally Šumava Klatovy”: 2012
ŠKODA’s last win at the Rally Šumava Klatovy came back in 2012. Jan Kopecký and co-driver Pavel Dresler finished at the head of a ŠKODA Motorsport one-two-three in the Fabia Super 2000. Roman Kresta (CZ) and Jaromir Tarabus (CZ) finished second and third.
At the 6 Hours of Spa, the Audi R18 e-tron quattro debuts a new bodywork configuration.
At the 6 Hours of Spa, the Audi R18 e-tron quattro debuts a new bodywork configuration. It differs significantly from the version with which Audi won the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC season opener at Silverstone. Jan Monchaux, Head of Aerodynamics at Audi Sport, explains the background.
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In the meantime it has become a small tradition for Audi to develop different bodywork configurations to be perfectly equipped for the high-speed Le Mans circuit where average lap speeds exceed 240 km/h. To compare: on the track in Shanghai, which is scheduled for November, the drivers reach an average of only 180 km/h – this is an average of 25 percent less.
While the visual changes in previous years were barely recognisable to the untrained eye, Audi has consistently followed a different path since 2013. “The long tail was an effective distinguishing feature for the public,” says Jan Monchaux. Together with his development team, he developed a bodywork version specifically for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
This configuration finished flush with the rear wing and at the same time contained many more detailed solutions.
The goal: significantly lower drag by omitting downforce, in order to be better equipped for higher speeds. Downforce is the force that aerodynamic components create. It presses the race car onto the ground and, as a result, permits higher cornering speeds.
When the version that creates less downforce runs for the first time this year at Spa, the differences to the sister specification, which generates higher downforce levels, are more apparent than ever before. A fundamentally different front fairing, modified sidepods, openings relocated on the inner surface of the rear fenders for venting the wheel arches, and the bodywork rear edge featuring an unusual rear wing support, characterise the newly developed race car.
“Because downforce at Le Mans is not as important as it is at other tracks, we developed other solutions and new body shapes,” says Monchaux. “In this way, we reduce the drag. All the turning vanes, wings and similar elements are no longer mounted so steeply in the airflow; the curvature of the wing profile is less.” In addition to the bodywork surfaces, the technology beneath is also affected.
“The cooling system’s requirements are different. We were able to reevaluate and adapt the flow across the cooler, because at Le Mans less air mass flow is necessary due to the higher speeds,” he continues. New suspension solutions, which restrict the spring displacement on the car to a smaller range, provide additional help. In this way, the turbulent airflow under the race car is reduced.
With the sum of all innovations, Audi further improves the efficiency of its hybrid sports car. “We expect to benefit from this and to be able to use these advantages on other race tracks,” says Jan Monchaux.
Northern Irishman Kris Meeke wins his first World Championship round
- Northern Irishman Kris Meeke wins his first World Championship round
- First British WRC winner since Colin McRae in 2002
- Welshman Elyfn Evans claims maiden podium finish
Kris Meeke yesterday became the first British driver to win a round of the FIA World Rally Championship for more than a decade. The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland made his big breakthrough in Argentina with an historic victory on round four of this year’s WRC. He is the first British winner since Colin McRae’s final victory back on the 2002 Safari Rally.
The Dungannon man, co-driven by Irishman Paul Nagle, led from virtually the start and after four days of intense and gruelling competition, he finished 18.1 seconds ahead of his Citroën team-mate Mads Østberg.
Adding further to British delight, Elfyn Evans and co-driver Daniel Barritt finished third in their M-Sport-run Ford Fiesta RS. It was the promising young Welshman’s first-ever WRC podium and delivered the first double podium for British drivers since New Zealand in 2001.
Victory also means Meeke becomes just the fourth British driver to win a WRC round – he joins rally legends Roger Clark, McRae and Richard Burns in a very elite club. Clark, McRae and Burns also all savoured success in their home event – a feat the Ulsterman now will be aiming to emulate when the WRC comes to these shores for Wales Rally GB (12-15 November).
“What can I say? It’s been a long road… and the man who did most is not here,” said an emotional Meeke dedicating his landmark success to the late McRae who was the Northern Irishman’s mentor earlier in his career.
Confidence-boosting performances from both Meeke and Evans is another major boost to the sport in this country and will generate even more interest in the UK’s concluding round of this year’s WRC.
“This is a great day for British rallying and we send our congratulations to both camps,” confirmed Ben Taylor, managing director of Wales Rally GB. "The whole sport has been excited to have two drivers in the WRC again and now to see Kris on the top step and Elfyn alongside him reinforces that UK rallying is moving in the right direction.
I'm sure they will both have the podium in their sights when the WRC comes to Wales in November which is an incredibly exciting prospect for everyone connected with our event.”
Home fans don't have long to wait for full details of the competitive route for 2015 Wales Rally GB, which will be revealed in the coming weeks, together with news of a revised ticketing policy.
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