Czech Rally Zlin (J) - 16-18 Aug 24

Challenging Tarmac test awaits as ERC regulars bid to halt Kopecký’s winning run.

Posted: August 13, 2024 5:34 AM

As the longest-running rally on the 2024 FIA European Rally Championship calendar and the longest so far this season in terms of competitive distance, the 201.79 kilometres that make up the 53rd Barum Czech Rally Zlín (16 - 18 August) will be fast, fearsome and famous.

Part of the ERC schedule since the championship’s streamlining in 2004, Barum Czech Rally Zlín, which is based in the South Moravian university city, 300 kilometres south of the Czech capital Prague, counts as round six of the eight-event ERC roster for 2024.

It’s a Tarmac test like no other due to the bumpy and sometimes broken nature of the road surface. And to add to the challenge, several stages feature high-speed blasts through forests and intermittent rain showers are always possible. While the weather might be hard to predict, huge numbers of fans are guaranteed with thousands following the action each year.

With eight wins in a row and 11 in total, Jan Kopecký, the 2013 ERC champion, remains the Barum benchmark. However, the 42-year-old Czech legend and Škoda stalwart will face plenty of opposition, both from home and afar.

ERC regulars Erik Cais and Filip Mareš, Czech championship leader Domink Str?i?tesky?, fellow youngster Adam Br?ezík, plus former circuit racer Aleš Jirásek, are among the local contenders to have signed up for action along with Václav Pech, the Zlín winner in 2014 and an eight-time Czech champion.

“You will see there are going to be much more Czech crews trying to achieve the podium,” said ACCR Toyota Dolák’s Filip Mareš, who will compete in a Hankook-equipped Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. “They will be really strong, so to fight for the top five will be a really high target for everyone.”

While many will be hoping for a dry event, Cais, who went to school in Zlín, is hoping for rain. The former downhill mountain bike racer said: “Barum is always really nice in the rain and if it’s your home rally you know the secrets. The biggest rain possible is what I need. I’m really looking forward to that and hopefully it will happen.”

Jon Armstrong (Ireland), Mathieu Franceschi (France), Efrén Llarena (Spain), Andrea Mabellini (Italy), Miko Marczyk (Poland), Hermann Neubauer (Austria), defending ERC champion and championship leader Hayden Paddon (New Zealand) and Simon Wagner (Austria) are all entered for Barum Czech Rally Zlín and will be in the hunt for ERC points.
Mads Østberg is also entered but his participation is not confirmed following his crash on last month’s Rally di Roma Capitale, which left the Norwegian and his Swedish co-driver Patrik Barth requiring hospital treatment.

The rally begins on Friday evening with a spectacular super special stage through the streets of Zlín and concludes on Sunday afternoon, with every single stage broadcast live on Rally.TV.

Entry List

Posted: August 13, 2024 5:26 AM

Czech Rally Zlin (J) - 16-18 Aug 24 - ENTRY LIST

Sportity / Rally Guide / Details / Event Website

Posted: August 13, 2024 5:25 AM

Barum Rally Zlin (CZ)