National premiere: First SKODA FABIA R5 to be campaigned by Chinese rally team

For the first time ever, a Chinese Rally team will campaign rally cars from ŠKODA. The DA-Motorsport ŠKODA FABIA R5 Rally Team was launched in Beijing with the attendance of Dr. Ralf Hanschen, President of ŠKODA China, Chen De’an, Head of DA-Motorsport, and Zhang Tao, Secretary General of the Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sports of China (CAMF).

DA-Motorsport received two ŠKODA FABIA R5 which were technically updated by ŠKODA Motorsport. The new team will make its racing debut at the China Rally Championship 2019 round in Dongshan Bay Rim on 6 December.

Dr. Ralf Hanschen, President of ŠKODA China, says: “ŠKODA has been winning on rally tracks around the globe. The ŠKODA FABIA R5 inherits the DNA of ŠKODA Motorsport as one of the most successful models ever seen in the history of ŠKODA Motorsport. The launch of DA-Motorsport ŠKODA FABIA R5 Rally Team marks the first time a ŠKODA FABIA R5 is part of a Chinese rally team. We expect the ŠKODA FABIA R5 rally car to continue its legacy and to help improve ŠKODA’s brand presence in China.”

Chen De’an, Head of DA Motorsport, adds: “The ŠKODA FABIA R5 rally car is the most successful rally car in its category in the FIA World Rally Championship. Our new team combines the excellent performance of the ŠKODA FABIA R5 with our skilled drivers and the racing experience of DA-Motorsport. The DA-Motorsport ŠKODA FABIA R5 Rally Team has the potential to truly become a ‘Dream Team’ in China’s rally series, leading and winning on the stages and in the championship.”

Zhang Tao, Secretary General of the CAMF, emphasizes: “Motorsport is still growing in China. Through collaboration with international automakers like ŠKODA, industry associations and rally teams as well as with the support of fans, we are building a dynamic racing culture. The launch of DA-Motorsport ŠKODA FABIA R5 Rally Team reflects this trend perfectly. We wish the new rally team many remarkable achievements.”

The ŠKODA FABIA R5 was homologated by the motorsport federation FIA in 2015 and went on to win among others the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) four years in a row from 2015 to 2018. The latest version of the ŠKODA FABIA R5 is equipped with an upgraded 1.6 litres turbo, the basis of this aggregate is produced together with SAIC VOLKSWAGEN in Shanghai. The race engine features improved power output and drivability. It is equipped with a new oil pump with an enhanced hydraulic regulation, an electric water pump and a more effective cooling system. To date, ŠKODA has delivered more than 320 ŠKODA FABIA R5 and ŠKODA FABIA R5 evo to racing teams worldwide.

ŠKODA has been successful in motorsport since 1901. Be it on circuits or in rallies, ŠKODA has celebrated victories and won titles all around the world. Historical highlights include numerous title wins in the FIA World Rally Championship’s WRC 2 category, the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC), the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC). In 2019, factory crew Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen won both WRC 2 Pro drivers’ and co-drivers’ championship of the FIA World Rally Championship while ŠKODA AUTO took the WRC 2 Pro manufacturers’ title.