Celebrating a Decade of Dominance in Rally2 Category
Mladá Boleslav, 10 July 2024 – Škoda Motorsport reached a significant milestone this week with the delivery of its 100th Fabia RS Rally2. The landmark vehicle was handed over to Andrei Gîrtofan, a leading contender in the Romanian Rally Championship, during a special ceremony at Škoda’s headquarters in Mladá Boleslav.
This event marks a notable achievement for Škoda, reflecting years of dedication to developing high-performance rally cars. Lukáš Paták, Head of the Škoda Motorsport Customer Programme, expressed his pride, stating, “Selling the 100th Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 is indeed a very special moment for Škoda Motorsport. This milestone is further proof that our hard work in producing highly competitive rally cars while also providing excellent service to our customers makes sense.”
The Journey of Škoda Fabia in Rallying
Škoda’s success in the Rally2 category began nearly a decade ago with the introduction of the first-generation Fabia Rally2. Over the years, the car has undergone continuous improvements, ensuring it remains at the forefront of rally car performance. The latest iteration, the Fabia RS Rally2, continues this tradition, bringing new advancements that make it a formidable competitor on the rally stage.
Romanian rally driver Andrei Gîrtofan of Prorally Team Brasov, the recipient of the 100th Fabia RS Rally2, is enthusiastic about the upgrade. “I have achieved top results with the first-generation Škoda Fabia Rally2 so far, but now I am happy to switch to the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. In my opinion, it is currently the best car I can have in my fight for the national championship title,” Gîrtofan remarked.
Continuous Advancements and Achievements
The Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 represents a significant evolution from its predecessors. It features a completely new chassis and major engine upgrades, enhancing its performance and reliability. For the second half of the 2024 season, Škoda Motorsport plans to offer a second gear set, optimizing the car for high-speed events like Rally Finland. Additionally, improvements in brake pedal response and the durability of brake cooling ducts further enhance the car’s capabilities.
The Fabia Rally2’s legacy began with the first-generation model, homologated on 1 April 2015. It quickly proved its prowess, with Esapekka Lappi winning the FIA WRC2 Drivers Cup in 2016, followed by Pontus Tidemand and Jan Kopecký in subsequent years. The Fabia Rally2 evo, homologated on 1 April 2019, saw further success, with Kalle Rovanperä, Pierre-Louis Loubet, and Andreas Mikkelsen achieving notable victories in the FIA WRC2 and European Rally Championships.
Named the Fabia RS Rally2, the latest generation continued this success, making its FIA World Championship debut at the 2023 Monte Carlo Rally. Andreas Mikkelsen, driving for Škoda Motorsport-supported Toksport WRT, secured the WRC2 Drivers title that year. The 2024 season has already seen numerous WRC2 victories for teams using the new Fabia RS Rally2.
A Legacy of Success
Since its inception, the Rally2-spec Škoda Fabia has won 28 regional and 125 national championships, participated in approximately 22,000 rally events, and achieved 2,563 wins and 6,400 podium positions. Škoda Motorsport has delivered nearly 600 Rally2-spec Fabias to 42 countries worldwide. The delivery of the 100th Fabia RS Rally2 underscores the model’s dominance and enduring appeal in the Rally2 category.
As Škoda Motorsport continues to innovate and support its customers, the future looks bright for the Fabia RS Rally2, promising more victories and milestones in the years to come.
