Jan Kopecký of Skoda Motorsport (factory team) has won the Rally category of the 2011 Golden Steering Wheel, a long-established survey among Czech motoring journalists and experts. After winning this award for four consecutive years, Kopecký has now won his fifth Golden Wheel. Petr Starý, Kopecký's co-driver, has been also been selected as best co-driver.
Jan Kopecký fought for victory in last year's Intercontinental Rally Challenge until the last event but missed it by just one point, becoming the IRC Vice-Champion for the third consecutive year. By winning the Barum Rally (his home event) and in Hungary, Jan helped ŠKODA win the Manufacturers’ category of the IRC for the second year.
ŠKODA's motorsport efforts in 2011 made it the most successful year in its history. In addition to winning both the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ categories of the IRC, the Mladá Boleslav-based carmaker won its first-ever world championship title in the SWRC.
