WRC2 driver Jan Kopecky has stunned the field to win the opening stage of Rally Germany in his Skoda.
The short Saarbrucken super special was only 2.05km long but the Czech driver bettered the entire WRC field in setting a time .3s faster than M-Sport Ford driver Ott Tanak.
Citroen'sCraig Breen was third a further second back.
Kiwi driver Hayden Paddon was 10th fastest through the stage but was one of a number of drivers to swipe a barrier. Thankfully the impact didn't hurt his car.
Northern Irishman Kris Meeke wasn't so lucky - he hit the concrete barrier harder and was forced to retire, ending any realistic chance he had of winning the event.
