Tidemand and Kopecky to front Skoda’s WRC2 title defence

Skoda has confirmed Pontus Tidemand and Jan Kopecky will contest this year’s WRC2 series.

The Czech firm is keen to defend the WRC2 title it won with Esapekka Lappi last season and will have the start of its year boosted by Andreas Mikkelsen’s guest appearance for the squad on next week’s Monte Carlo Rally.

Skoda Motorsport director Michal Hrabanek said: “With the world title, three continental and 10 national titles, 2016 was one of the most successful years in the history of Skoda Motorsport. We want to back up this success.”

Hrabanek added that the team would also compete in the Czech Rally Championship, where Kopecky will chase a hat-trick of titles (and his fifth crown in total). ● Skoda Mototsport celebrated selling its 100th Fabia R5 earlier this month. Dutchman Erik Wevers took delivery of the car at the firm’s Mlada Boleslav base.