Velký úspěch českého juniora : Martin Semerád zvítězil v Pirelli Stars a míří do MS

Česká radost – Martin Semerád zvítězil v Pirelli Stars

Teprve osmnáctiletý český automobilový závodník Martin Semerád zvítězil v evropském kole projektu Pirelli Stars Drivers – shoot out, který se v sobotu konal v rakouském Freistadtu. Společný projekt Mezinárodní automobilové federace FIA a společnosti Pirelli má za cíl vyhledávat mladé talenty mezi automobilovými závodníky a dát jim šanci naplno rozvinout a prokázat svůj talent.

Pro posádku Martin Semerád – Bohuslav Ceplecha byla překvapením již nominace, kdy je vybrala česká federace automobilového sportu, aby Českou republiku reprezentovali. Martin Semerád si nominaci zasloužil skvělými výsledky v posledních soutěžích Mistrovství České republiky ve Sprintrally, kde se s každým odjetým kilometrem zlepšoval.

Jeho soupeři se v Rakousku stali zástupci osmnácti zemí, mezi nimiž měla rozhodnout porota, kterou tvořili představitelé hlavního partnera akce společnosti Pirelli, zástupci Mezinárodní automobilové federace FIA, a excelentní soutěžní jezdci jako jsou exmistr světa Walter Röhrl, či Michelle Mouton.

Porota neměla rozhodování vůbec jednoduché. Mladíci z různých koutů Evropy prokazovali svoje jezdecké dovednosti na šotolinové i asfaltové trati a hodnotila se rovněž jejich schopnost komunikovat s médii v anglickém jazyce. Martinu Semerádovi se velmi povedla první jízdní část na nezpevněném povrchu, a na porotu kladně zapůsobilo jeho vystupovávání a jistý slovní projev.

Přes svoje mládí předváděl vyrovnaný výkon ve všech hodnocených kritériích a porota jej v sobotu večer vyhlásila společně s finským jezdcem jako vítěze evropského kola Pirelli Stars Drivers Shoot-out.

Martina Semeráda s Bohoušem Ceplechou tak čeká účast v týmu Pirelli Stars v šesti soutěžích Mistrovství světa, kterých by se měli zúčastnit s produkčním vozem, případně s vozem kategorie S 2000. „Když zaznělo, že zvítězilo Finsko a Česká republika, nemohl jsem tomu uvěřit. Bylo to naprosto nečekané a zapůsobilo to jako šok. Ještě po první části soutěže na šotolinovém povrchu jsem si docela věřil a doufal, že bychom mohli uspět, ale pak jsem na asfaltové části udělal několik chyb a přestal doufat v úspěch.

Je to jako sen a děkuji všem, kteří se na našem úspěchu podíleli,“ řekl ještě na podiu v rakouském Freistadtu juniorský zástupce České republiky v Mistrovství světa Martin Semerád.

Na vybrané soutěžní jezdce, mezi kterými je i český zástupce Martin Semerád, tak čeká účast na soutěžích Mistrovství světa v Portugalsku, Itálii, Řecku, Finsku, Španělsku a Velké Británii.

 

PR

Surprise at Pirelli Star Driver Shoot Out Europe in Freistadt

Czech Martin Semerád, only 18 years old, convinces jury of his talent
Jarkko Nikara from Finland also will take part in six WRC-runs next year
10.000 spectators followed the spectacular event in Freistadt on both days


Today, Saturday, at 20.20 the wide world of the World Rally Championship opened up for two young rally cracks. For at that time the juryDenn zu diesem Zeitpunkt verkündete die Jury – consisting of rally legends Walter Röhrl (Germany) and Michel Mouton (France) as Expert Driver, furthermore Mario Isola (Italy) for Pirelli, David Evans (Great Britain) for PR/Media, Joao Passos (Portugal) as organiser of a WRC-run and Kevin Morris (England) as Team Manager – announced the two winners of the Pirelli Star Driver Shoot Out Europe: the big, only 18 years old talent Martin Semerád (co-driver: Bohuslav Ceplecha) from the Czech Republic and 22-year-young Jarkko Nikara (co-driver: Jarkko Kalliolepo) from Finland.
The two rookies are now offered the big opportunity to compete in six WRC-runs (Portugal, Italy, Greece, Finland, Spain and Great Britain) next year in a group-N or Super 2000 car by Pirelli and FIA.

Yesterday the focus of the Pirelli Star Driver Shoot Out Europe had mainly been on the interviews of the competitors by the jury and the presentation of the teams in the evening in the exhibition hall in Freistadt. On Saturday, however, the heart of rallying came into play – the special stages. Here the rookies were able to prove their driving skills as well as their willingness to take risks even though the achieved times only played one of several parts in the assessment of the jury. And about 10.000 spectators were enthused by spectacular drifts and excellent rally-action on the overall six special stages (3 x Kerschbaum/gravel and 3 x Trölsberg/tarmac).

The performances of all drivers didn’t make it an easy job for the jury to chose two winners but since a decision had to be made one finally agreed upon Martin Semerád and Jarkko Nikara. A decision that took the young talents from the Czech Republic and Finland to seventh rally-heaven.

Jarkko Nikara: “It was very important to me to present myself well here. But right now I am overwhelmed, spellbound and very, very happy. This was my dream. I still can hardly believe that I will be competing in six WRC-runs next year. And I can promise one thing: I will come back here to Freistadt for the Jänner-Rally.”
Martin Semerád: “This is unbelievable. It is the best day of my life. Now I know that dreams can come true. I know that next year will surely be very hard – the most important thing will be to gain new experience and learn a lot. And I also will definitely return for the Jänner-Rallye.”
Walter Röhrl justifies the decision: “There was no argument about Jarkko as far as driving was concerned. With the subsequent drivers it was a close decision, meaning the ones from the Czech Republic, Italy and Ireland. We finally agreed upon the youngest driver, 18-year-old Martin Semerád. It was a decision everybody could live with. For the special-stage-times were not the only decisive factor.”
Peter Tyson, Head of Marketing at Pirelli, also praised the winners: “We are very happy with this choice. These are two very young drivers who now get the opportunity to present themselves to millions of spectators in the World Championship. Such a project has never before existed within the World Championship. It brings fresh blood to the WRC.”
Hans-Christoph Mehmel, Chairman of the FIA Rally Council, confirmed the close decision: “The two winners are worthy victors but almost any of these 18 hopeful teams would have deserved this honour. Our jury didn’t go easy on themselves and debated until the very last moment. Concerning international rallying the Pirelli Star Driver Shoot Out is an important aspect – not only now but also for the future.”


Photos of the Pirelli Star Driver Shoot Out and further information can be found at:
http://www.rallye-stardriver.eu/


PR:event Press Team
Armin Holenia +43 664 201 27 00
Andreas Walk +43 699 170 30 110
Martin Meyer +43 699 170 30 114

 

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Franz WITTMANN	Bernhard ETTEL
Date of Birth	27.10.1983	05.11.1974
Nationality	Austria	Austria
Residence	Ramsau	Vienna

Career Highlights:	2006	Triestingtalrallye 1. overall place
	2007	Jänner Rallye 3. overall place; Bosch Rallye 1. overall place
	2008	Jänner Rallye 2. overall place; Pirelli Rallye Lavanttal 2. overall place; Bosch Rallye 3. overall place; BP Ultimate Rallye 3. overall place

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Thierry NEUVILLE	Achim MARATTE
Date of Birth	06.06.1988	03.08.1981
Nationality	Belgium	Belgium
Residence	Sankt-Vith	Bullingen

Career Highlights:	2007	Luxemburg Rally: 2nd overall and 1st in class Rally of Crete: 9th overall and 3rd in class Ford R.A.C.B. Rally Contest: winner
	2008	Rallye de Wallonie: 1st in Ford Fiesta Trophy (winner) Currently 3rd in standings

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Todor SLAVOV	Filipov DOBROMIR
Date of Birth	22.01.1984	31.07.1971
Nationality	Bulgaria	Bulgaria
Residence	Varna	Varna

Career Highlights:	2005	Debut (National Champioship) and first win in class N2; finishing 2nd in class overall
	2006	3 wins in class N3 (National Championship); finishing 2nd in class overall
	2007	National Championship: 8 wins in class N4 3rd in East European Championship
	2008	National Championship: 4 wins in class N4

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Victor Manuel GALEANO TOMBOLY	Ruben Francisco GARCIA RODRIGUEZ
Date of Birth	22.02.1984	11.11.1981
Nationality	Paraguay	Paraguay
Residence	Asuncion	Asuncion

Career Highlights:	2003	National Rally Sub-Champion / Group N4
	2005	National Rally and National Super Prime Champion
	2006	National Super Prime Champion
	2007	CODASUR Champion; National Rally Champion and National Super Prime Champion Group N4

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Martin SEMERAD	Bohuslav CEPLECHA
Date of Birth	24.05.1990	06.05.1977
Nationality	Czech Republic	Czech Republic
Residence	Prague	Prague

Career Highlights:	2007	2. overall place Czech Rallye Junior Championship
	2008	2. overall place Czech Rallye Junior Championship

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Jarkko NIKARA	Jarkko KALLIDEPO
Date of Birth	28.04.1986	22.07.1972
Nationality	Finland	Finland
Residence	Saarijärvi	Kangasala

Career Highlights:	2005	Winner of A-juniors in F-Cup
	2006	Finnish Junior Rally Champion
	2007	2nd of group N in Finnish Rally Championship

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Hermann GASSNER	Kathi WÜSTENHAGEN
Date of Birth	21.11.1988	07.06.1983
Nationality	Germany	Germany
Residence	Surheim	Am Mellensee

Career Highlights:	2007	1st overall Suzuki Rally Cup
	2008	1st Gr. N4 ADAC Deutschland Rallye (WRC) 2nd Mitropa Cup 4th overall ADAC Saarland Rallye (DRM)

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Lefteris SOTIRHOS	Nick ZAKHAIOS
Date of Birth	15.09.1983	02.02.1980
Nationality	Greece	Greece
Residence	Athens	Athens

Career Highlights:	2006	Winner Rally Championship-Asphalt up to A6-class; 2nd Rally Championship up to 1600cc
	2007	Winner Rally Championship-Asphalt up to A6-class; 2nd Rally Championship on asphalt
	2008	(so far:) 1st Rally Championship Asphalt; 2nd Rally Championship

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Keith CRONIN	Greg SHINNORS
Date of Birth	18.07.1986	23.08.1976
Nationality	Ireland	Ireland
Residence	Bentry/West Cork	Bruff/Limerick

Career Highlights:	2005	2nd overall & class winner Cork ‘20’ National Rally; Class winner Galway Summer Rally
	2006	2nd overall & group N winner Killarney Forestry rally; 4th overall & group N winner Birr Forestry Rally; Class winner Killarney international Rally (206)
	2008	5th overall & group N winner & 1st Evo challenge driver Manx ‘International’ Rally; 2nd overall & group N winner Limerick Forestry Rally (Irish National Championship); Most number of fastest times in Evo Challenge UK ’08 to date

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Simone CAMPEDELLI	Danilo FAPPANI
Date of Birth	26.07.1986	23.04.1969
Nationality	Italy	Italy
Residence	Savignano sul Rubicone	Salò

Career Highlights:	2006	4th - Cyprus Rally P-WRC
	2007	Italian Gravel Champion 2007; Winner MotorShow Event 2007 WRC – Memorial Bettega; 4th- Rally Ireland P-WRC
	2008	7th- Rally Turkey P-WRC, 8th- Rally Finland P-WRC

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Benito GUERRA	Enrique VELASCO
Date of Birth	25.03.1985	17.10.1978
Nationality	Mexico	Spain
Residence	Mexico City	El Entrego

Career Highlights:	2006	Mexican National Rally Champion
	2007	Mexican National Rally Champion; 1st place (group N) WRC-run in Mexico
	2008	14th overall WRC

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Sveinung BIELTVEDT	Roger EILERTSEN
Date of Birth	08.04.1985	11.01.1983
Nationality	Norway	Norway
Residence	Ski/Oslo	Enebakk/Oslo

Career Highlights:	2006	Norwegian National Rally Champion; Winner of National Ford Fiesta Cup
	2007	Norwegian National Rally Champion; Winner of National Ford Fiesta Cup
	2008	Winner of National Subaru Cup; Currently 2nd place in Norwegian Rally Championship

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Radoslaw TYPA	Jaroslaw BARAN
Date of Birth	18.06.1983	24.12.1967
Nationality	Poland	Poland
Residence	Orneta	Krakow

Career Highlights:	2003	Talent of the year
	2005	1. overall place Rally Baltyk
	2006	2. place Peugeot 206 Rally Cup
	2007	1. place FWD cars Race of Champions Rally Barborka Warsaw, 2. place class A-6
	2008	3. place class Citroen R2B Teams Challenge; 3. place class A-6

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Antonio RODRIGUES	Jorge CARVALHO
Date of Birth	24.10.1982	15.07.1983
Nationality	Portugal	Portugal
Residence	Murca	Ribeirao

Career Highlights:

2006

2nd place at the Peugeot 206 Trophy in Portugal

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Lemes YERAY	Oriol JULIÀ
Date of Birth	20.08.1987	10.02.1973
Nationality	Spain	Spain
Residence	Las Palmas/Gran Canaria	Matadepera

Career Highlights:	2006	2nd overall Spanish Rally Championship – Junior
	2007	1st overall Spanish Rally Championship – Junior
	2008	1st IRC group N Rally Vinho de Madeira

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Joakim NYMAN	Bo HOLMSTRAND
Date of Birth	20.12.1983	04.10.1977
Nationality	Sweden	Sweden
Residence	Ostersund	Herrljunga

Career Highlights:	2006	1. place Ford Fiesta Challenge Sweden; 1. place Snapphanerally (gravel) Swedish Championship
	2007	2. place Ford Fiesta Challenge Sweden; 1. place Rally Vannes (snow/ice) Swedish Championship
	2008	1. place Pirelli International Rally – BRC – fastest 2WD; 2. place Rally Larvik/Norway (gravel); 1. place Rally Hedemarken/Norway - fastest 2WD

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Emre YURDAKUL	Can ERKAL
Date of Birth	04.08.1982	13.05.1983
Nationality	Turkey	Turkey
Residence	Istanbul	Ankara

Career Highlights:	2004	1st overall Istanbul Rally Championship class A
	2005	2nd overall Turkish Rally Championship class N3
	2007	Turkish Rally Championship 2nd overall and 1st group A; 3rd class N3 Rally Finland
	2008	Rally of Turkey: 2nd FSTI and class N3; Rally Finland: 1st FSTI and class N3; Rally Germany: 1st FSTI and 2nd class N3

	Driver	Co-Driver
Name	Adam GOULD	Sebastian MARSHALL
Date of Birth	06.05.1987	29.05.1988
Nationality	United Kingdom	United Kingdom
Residence	Cumbria/Gloucestershire	Eastburn/West Yorkshire

Career Highlights:	2006	8th overall Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK (winning “most improved driver”-award)
	2007	Winner of the FST International Shootout
	2008	British Rally Championship: 10th overall and 1st two-wheel-drive car at the Jim Clark International Rally