On March 27, the Škoda Motorsport team is going to appear at the Valašská Rally, the first event of the International Championships of the Czech Republic. After the successful premiere at the Rallye Monte Carlo and Patrick Sandell's victory at the Norwegian Rally with the first private Fabia Super 2000, the agenda of Škoda Motorsport, the car manufacturer's factory team, is going to continue at the Valašská Rally. Both factory crews are going to take part, i.e., Jan Kopecký with Petr Starý and Juho Hänninen with Mikko Markkula.

Commenting on the planned appearance at the Valašská Rally, Head of the Škoda Motorsport team Michal Hrabánek says: “We appreciate having another opportunity to test the vehicle in a real competition after the Rallye Monte Carlo. Like on the previous occasion, we want to move a few steps forward with our vehicle development efforts, and although the main purpose of our appearance at the Valašská Rally is to test the new vehicle, our ambitions also include achieving the best possible result. We also see the event as an excellent opportunity to present ourselves to Czech rally fans and thank them for their long-standing support, including on the latest occasion, i.e., in Monte Carlo. From the drivers' perspective, the race is the best possible way of preparing for future IRC events“.

Talking about the upcoming agenda of the factory team, Michal Hrabánek says: “We want to take part in about six IRC events in 2009 and, as far as it is possible, some selected Czech Republic Championship events. Right after the Valašská Rally we are going to start preparing the team for the Azores Islands Rally and then we will probably appear in Russia and at the Barum Rally in Zlín”.