Jan Kopecký and his co-driver Petr Starý have been forced to withdraw their entry from the GEKO Ypres Rally, round five of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
The ŠKODA Motorsport duo were among the favourites to win the asphalt event in their Fabia Super 2000 but suffered a crash during the pre-rally shakedown on Thursday evening.
Although Kopecký was uninjured, Starý (pictured left) awoke in the night complaining of pains in his right collarbone, which ŠKODA officials suspect to be a broken collarbone. He is now preparing to go to a local hospital for checks and a routine x-ray.
Karel Pokorný, the press officer for ŠKODA Motorsport, said: “The pain was worse than yesterday on his right side and when Petr tried to sit in the car this morning with the seatbelt on there was no chance to breathe normally. Petr will go to hospital and they have decided to cancel their participation on the GEKO Ypres Rally.”
Kopecký, who is currently second in the IRC drivers’ standings, said: “We had a good chance to be in a good position at the finish of the rally so the disappointment is huge. However, Petr’s health is the priority.”
Pokorný confirmed that the car, which sustained front-end damage during the impact with a small bridge, has been fully repaired.