Rate it!

0 votes

Jan Kopecky looks almost certain to sit out the Rally Russia next month following a horrific accident last weekend in the Ypres Rally.

Kopecky, who had taken the runners-up spot in Portugal in May, was 6.5 seconds behind overall fourth place in his Peugeot 207 S2000 when he had an accident in the final stage on the first day during the 21.86 kilometre run through Langemark 2.

The incident occurred just before the halfway marker when he hit a concrete block, which was possibly placed on the road by some spectators. Although Kopecky and his co-driver Petr Stary escaped uninjured, the car was badly damaged.

As a result, Kopecky could miss the fourth round of the 2008 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

The Czech said: "The impact was so strong that the concrete column pierced the aluminium ledger under the engine and damaged even the engine itself."

Fortunately help was at hand swiftly to avert any further catastrophes and the duo escaped the wreckage unscathed.

"Before me and Petr were able to climb out of our damaged car the organisers were with us and a rescue helicopter came very quickly. Luckily both Petr and I survived this horrific accident with no significant injuries."

The Czech team have already proven that the crash was not of their own making and an initial investigation into the origins of the crash has ruled out Kronos Racing's Nicolas Vouilloz of any responsibility.

Kopecky said: "Intercontinental Rally Challenge management has provided us on-board video from the car that was driven by Nicolas Vouilloz. He was the only driver, who started ahead of us in the sixth stage. He passed the incriminated spot with no difficulties.

"I very much appreciate the approach of the Kronos Racing team chief Marc van Dalen [Vouilloz's boss], who following the study of the on-board video and a talk with his team's driver issued a press release.

"In it he stated that Nicolas Vouilloz passed through the section in a standard way and in no way could he have caused the appearance of a concrete column in the middle of the track. Before and after the driver passed this section the track was absolutely passable."

Nevertheless, the search to find out who or what was to blame will go on.

"The accident at this time is under investigation and of course we do not want to make any hasty conclusion.

"We left for Belgium full of enthusiasm looking forward to tarmac racing for the first time on the IRC circuit and in the end we come home with no points and a wrecked car, but luckily we have survived with no great harm to our health," added Kopecky.

Crash.Net / Eurosport