Wed 06 Nov 2024

Czech mates turn rivals in latest round of ERC Greatest Car voting

Having played a huge role in defining the modern era of the FIA European Rally Championship – and turned Škoda into a powerhouse of rally car production – the Fabia Super 2000 and Fabia R5 are locking horns during the third day of voting for the ERC Greatest Car accolade.

Škoda’s first mass-production customer car for international use, the Fabia Super 2000 made its ERC debut in 2009 and notched up 22 wins and 48 podiums as well as helping Juho Hänninen, Jan Kopecký and Esapekka Lappi to the FIA European Rally Championship for Drivers three years in a row.

It was eventually superseded by the Fabia R5 in 2015 after Škoda stalwart Kopecký gave the development version of the car a run out as a course car during the ERC-counting Barum Czech Rally Zlín in 2014.   


Although the Fabia Rally2 Evo and RS Rally2 are the Škodas to have in the ERC, the original Fabia R5 remains active in the ERC to this day having claimed 18 wins, 57 podiums and the 2019 title courtesy of Chris Ingram and Ross Whittock.

Škoda Fabia Super 2000
Active years: 2009-2017
ERC rally wins: 22
ERC podiums: 48
ERC titles: 3  


Škoda Fabia R5
Active years: 2015-Present
ERC rally wins: 18
ERC podiums: 57
ERC titles: 1  


ERC Greatest Car of the modern era explained
It’s not just the drivers who have starred since the FIA European Rally Championship calendar was streamlined into the format recognisable today.  


Following that landmark moment in 2004, some of the greatest rally cars ever built have battled for glory in the various categories that continue to ensure the ERC remains as popular as it is relevant.  


Fans can vote from a shortlist of 16 great ERC cars prepared by our team of experts. Employing bracketology, voting is available through the ERC’s social media channels with a 24-hour window to vote for each pairing. The winner will be announced on 4 December.  


Included on the shortlist are the Abarth Grande Punto, the Hyundai i20 N Rally2, the Opel Adam R2, and many more.  


Up next (7 November): Citroën C3 Rally 2 v Ford Fiesta R5

Japan
Starts: Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 12:00:00 AM
Poland
Starts: Friday, October 11, 2024 at 9:30:00 AM
Turkey
Starts: Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 8:30:00 AM