Martin Prokop’s greatest achievements:

2009 Junior World Rally Championship winner

2009 Production Car World Rally Championship runner-up

3rd in 2008, 2007JWRC

Beginnings

Martin Prokop made his debut in Czech Sprintrally Championship in 2001 season with Skoda Felicia car. After two rounds he changed the car to Group N Mitsubishi Lancer EVO III, later Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VI and initiated cooperation with experienced co-driver Julius Gal. In the end of the season Martin made the step up to Czech Rally Championship, too.

“At my young age I didn’t do any sport on a professional level. However, a lot of the time I spent on the enduro and motocross bike. And of course, I was glancing at the karting or autocross, but my parents decided that education is more important than sport. In such a situation I was happy for every opportunity to drive a bike or car. With my parents, who are fans and friends of Vaclav Arazim [Czech rally driver], I knew Czech rally environment from my young age. My father even attended a few races, too. He took me with him on training, and when I was fourteen, he lent me his rally car (Skoda Felicia) for the first time. But nobody forced me to racing, rather the contrary. Rather, I had to enforce it. I made my debut in Rally Okrisky (2001), and the participation in the rally was a fulfilling of my big dream. I couldn’t believe I was part of the rally environment. But of course, I feel little bit confident, otherwise I would not do it. But if I had talent or not, it had to consider others."

In the cockpit of Mitsubishi and with his own team

In 2002 season, Martin Prokop continued gaining experience with Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VII and his own Jipocar Racing team. His program consisted of selected rounds of Czech Sprintrally Championship and Czech Rally Championship. For the first time he also participated in foreign event, Austrian Rally Waldviertel. To the best results of the season belong three eighth places.

In 2003 season, Martin Prokop continued in Czech Rally Championship and Czech Sprintrally Championship with Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VII car and co-driver Jan Mozny. To the season’s highlights belong 4th place in Rally Brno (Czech Sprintrally Championship), and the very first podium of Martin’s career: 3rd place in Sprintrally Sosnova. In the end of the season he started with Skoda Octavia WRC for the first time, the car he drove in the following season.

"To change the car to Group N Mitsubishi contributed Vaclav Arazim [Czech Rally driver]. He told me that if I wanted to achieve good results, I would have to get Group N car. I have been grateful for his advice, and I have been still convinced that this has been the only and right way. For young guys with little experience it is difficult to establish themselves in the category, in which compete particularly experienced matadors. The lack of experience they have to replace with ferocity. Disadvantage is also the lack of knowledge of special stages. But Class N4 is ideal to get through to the highest level, because it is competitive and for reasonable costs. With hindsight I know that victory in Rally Blovice came too soon. I needed to tame a bit. Since no one did, the accident had to happen. I had known, something could happen, but the accident in Rally Sumava 2002 was too hard. The crash was very hard, and my injury had consequences, which reminded me what happened for a long time. The consequences of the accident sent me at least one year back. I was not able to push hard, and I was rather afraid of rallies than I enjoyed them. Fortunately, Julius Gal [Czech rally co-driver] helped me to find confidence. 2003 season was very busy. We participated in twenty events, in which I achieved some good results and a lot of experience. Then I decided it was the right time to change the car to World Rally Car.”

Skoda Octavia WRC and the first win

In 2004 season, Martin Prokop has focused his efforts on Czech Rally Championship driving Skoda Octavia WRC. He changed also the co-driver to Petr Novak. The best result of the season came at Rally Sumava. Martin defeated all his rivals and won for the first time in his career. In the overall rankings of Czech Rally Championship he finished fifth.

“In 2004, I made some kind of debut in every Czech rally championship round with World Rally Car. Every event was held on other type of surface, and most of them were very slippery. I liked this type of surface and it suited Skoda Octavia WRC very well, but I had to gain experience. Very soon I realized that in WRC, can’t make a mistake. You have to do everything on hundred percent, and perfect physical fitness and concentration are required. To learn the technology of WRC helped me guys from Profiko Rally team, especially Jan Kratochvil and Karel Trneny. In Rally Sumava (2004), I won for the first time. The event’s results were strongly influenced by ban of the use of stud tires, and there was also problem with large time gap from drivers participating in European championship – I hardly knew with whom I was competing. In addition, there ware lack of information, the accuracy of results was discussed. Despite all of this, I tried to concentrate only on the race, and I believed I could defeat my rivals. That finally happened. After two Czech Rally Championship rounds I led the current rankings, but it was clear I couldn’t maintain the position. I didn’t have enough experience to fight with the top on dry surface. However, I didn’t give up. I gained a lot of experience in the 2004 season. I liked World Rally Car very much, more than Group N Mitsubishi. As the downside of the season, could be considered only two technical failures, which forced me to retirements shortly before the finish.”

First season with Suzuki Ignis S1600 and JWRC entry

2005 season was crucial in Martin Prokop’s career because he made the step up to Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC). He drove Suzuki Ignis S1600 car and initiated cooperation with experienced co-driver Petr Gross. The participation in JWRC Martin Prokop combined with a few starts in Czech Rally Championship. The best result – 4th place overall – came at Valasska rally. In JWRC he achieved the best result – 5th in JWRC – in Rally Catalunya. In the overall classification of JWRC Martin Prokop occupied ninth place.

“I finished ninth in 2005 season opening round, Rally Monte Carlo. I missed Rally Mexico and then I would like to fight for championship points in the following three JWRC rounds. There were some technical problems in Rally Deutschland, but in the last two tarmac events I finished on points-scoring positions. The 5th place finish in Rally Catalunya was the best result of my first season in JWRC. In the overall rankings I achieved thirteen points and finished ninth. I was happy with my results. When the season began, I didn’t think of my possible results, I only wanted to realize, if I could compare with the competition. I wanted to learn the World Rally Championship environment and its special stages. Before the season I thought, the tarmac rallies would be easier for me, and I could achieve better results within them. Unfortunately, Suzuki Ignis S1600 didn’t like the tarmac. As I’m concerned, during the season I felt in love with gravel, which fascinated me, and I enjoyed driving on a loose surface. I remember the most the Rally Finland, which impressed me. Also other World Rally Championship rounds are somehow unique, except Rally Deutschland.”

Years with Citroen C2 S1600

2006 season was another crucial one in Martin Prokop’s career. He initiated four-year cooperation with Citroën manufacturer and started to drive Citroën C2 S1600 in JWRC. He changed the co-driver again, chose experienced Jan Tomanek and their collaboration has taken until now. In Rally Catalunya 2006 Martin achieved the biggest success of the season when he won the JWRC round for the first time in his career. In JWRC overall rankings he finished 10th. He appeared also in two Czech Rally Championship’s events and in both he achieved good results: 3rd place in Rally Bohemia and 5th place in Barum Rally.

2007 season was Martin Prokop’s third one in JWRC. For the second year in the row he drove Citroen C2 S1600 and was co-driven by Jan Tomanek. Martin achieved four podium results including two victories in Rally Deutschland and Tour de Corse-Rallye de France. He added 3rd place in Rally Sardinia and 2nd place in Rally Catalunya. In JWRC overall rankings Martin Prokop achieved third place. To his JWRC program he added three starts in WRC with Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX car. In Czech Rally Championship he participated in Rally Bohemia with Citroen C2 S1600 car and finished third.

“Change the car to Citroen C2 S1600 meant an expected acceleration. In Rally Catalunya (2006), we achieved to win for the first time. The ninth position in the 2006 overall rankings was disappointing. Fortunately, the 2007 results turned out much better. The season unfortunately began with the hard crash in Rally Portugal, but in the other WRC rounds we achieved to fight for podium finishes. To the season highlights belonged victory in Rally Deutschland, runner-up position in Rally Catalunya and another win in Rallye de France. Thanks to 3rd place in JWRC (behind P-G Andersson and Urmo Aava) I could participate in Citroen Sport manufacturer team testing of WRC.”

In 2008 season, Martin Prokop and Jan Tomanek took part in JWRC and also PWRC (Production Car World Rally Championship) events with Citroen C2 S1600 car respectively Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX car. In his fourth JWRC season Martin achieved three victories (Rally Finland, Rally Catalunya and Tour de Corse-Rallye de France) and in the JWRC overall rankings he occupied third place. The best PWRC result came in Rally New Zealand and in the overall rankings he finished fifth.

Junior World Rally Champion and PWRC runner-up

2009 season has been so far Martin Prokop’s the most successful one. Czech driver co-driven by Jan Tomanek took part in JWRC and PWRC again and belonged to the top drivers in both championships. Martin Prokop entered the 2009 season with aim to fight for JWRC win and achieve the best possible result in PWRC. In all five JWRC rounds he either won (Rally Cyprus, Rally Sardinia and Rally Finland) or finished in runner-up position (Rally Ireland, Rally Poland). Those results guaranteed Martin Prokop – Jan Tomanek winning JWRC. Martin Prokop achieved good results also in PWRC gaining four podium results (victories in Rally Australia and Wales Rally GB, 2nd place in Rally Portugal and 3rd place in Rally Norway). He finished the PWRC season in runner-up position. Martin participated also in one Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) round – Czech Barum Rally. Driving Peugeot 207 S2000 of BFGoodrich Drivers Team, Martin Prokop achieved 5th place.

“During the Rally Finland, in which I could achieve Junior World Champion title, I thought only of JWRC standings. I believed we could achieve the title in Finland, and it finally happened. I began to realize it in the last special stage of Rally Finland, and especially in its finish. I, Jenda Tomanek [co-driver] and the whole team made the best we could, and we gave no chance to our rivals. To achieve junior world title we worked hard, and last two years we were so close. Now we finally achieved it, in addition in Rally Finland, which I considered as one of the most demanding rallies in the world. It was like dream.”

“In PWRC we finished in runner-up position, and I appreciate it very much. Throughout the season we achieved equal results, and that was the point to succeed in the championship. It was shame to loose points in Rally Argentina – in the end of the season, we missed them much...”

First season with Ford Fiesta S2000 and S-WRC entry

After four years of cooperation with Citroen manufacturer Martin Prokop has linked with Ford for 2010 season. With Ford Fiesta S2000 car and co-driver Jan Tomanek he will start in seven rounds from ten of brand new Super 2000 World Rally Championship (S-WRC).

Co-drivers

„In my rally driver career helped me the most Julius Gal, who taught me foundations of writing pace notes and also driving. He didn’t hesitate to teach me everything he ever learned. I was fascinated of his enthusiasm and drive. Jan Mozny cooperated with me in the very busy and hard time, when we were establishing our team and also participating in a big number of events. It was a big rush for everybody, and Jan helped me to tackle with it. Petr Novak was my co-driver when I was entering WRC category in Czech Rally Championship. He is one of the best Czech co-drivers, and has a credit of winning Rally Sumava (2004). Before 2005 season I initiated the cooperation with Petr Gross, who had the experience of World Rally Championship. Since 2006 until now I have cooperated with Jan Tomanek, long-term co-driver of Roman Kresta in manufacturer teams of Skoda Motorsport and BP-Ford Rally Team.”

Privacy

“I like every sport and I play floorball. I spend a lot of time with enduro, sometimes I play golf and tennis. More and more time I am spending in a gym doing fitness. When I have some time, I visit culture events.”

Career highlights

2009

JWRC (Junior World Rally Championship) with co-driver Jan Tomanek and Citroën C2 S1600 car – winning JWRC – 1st in JWRC in Rally Cyprus, Rally Sardinia and Rally Finland
PWRC (Production Car World Rally Championship) with co-driver Jan Tomanek and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX car – 2nd in PWRC – 1st in PWRC in Rally Australia and Wales Rally GB
Barum Rally (IRC) as BFGoodrich Drivers Team´s driver with co-driver Jan Tomanek and Peugeot 207 S2000 car – 5th place

2008

JWRC (Junior World Rally Championship) with co-driver Jan Tomanek and Citroën C2 S1600 car – 3rd in JWRC – 1st in JWRC in Rally Finland, Rally Catalunya and Tour de Corse-Rallye de France
PWRC (Production Car World Rally Championship) with co-driver Jan Tomanek and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX car – 5th in PWRC – 1st in PWRC in Rally New Zealand

2007

JWRC (Junior World Rally Championship) with co-driver Jan Tomanek and Citroën C2 S1600 car – 3rd in JWRC – 1st in JWRC in Rally Deutschland, Tour de Corse-Rallye de France
WRC – 3 rounds with co-driver Jan Tomanek and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX car
Rally Bohemia with co-driver Jan Tomanek and Citroën C2 S1600 car – 3rd overall

2006

JWRC (Junior World Rally Championship) with co-driver Jan Tomanek and Citroën C2 S1600 car – 10th in JWRC – 1st in JWRC in Rally Catalunya
Rally Monte Carlo with co-driver Jan Tomanek and Citroën C2 S1600 car – 1st in Class A6
Rally Bohemia with co-driver Jan Tomanek and Citroën C2 S1600 car – 3rd overall
Barum Rally with co-driver Jan Tomanek and Citroën C2 S1600 car – 5th overall

2005

JWRC (Junior World Rally Championship) with co-driver Petr Gross and Suzuki Ignis S1600 car – 9th in JWRC – 5th in JWRC in Rally Catalunya
Czech Rally Championship with co-driver Petr Gross and Suzuki Ignis S1600 car – 1st in Group A in Janner Rally, Valasska rally (4th overall), and Rally Cesky Krumlov

2004

Czech Rally Championship with co-driver Petr Novak (Jan Možný in Jänner Rally) and Skoda Octavia WRC – 5th overall – 1st overall in Rally Šumava, 4th overall in Rally Vysocina

2003 – 2001

participation in Czech Rally Championship and Czech Sprinrally Championship