ERC
Barum Czech Rally Zlín set for long ERC future
Barum Czech Rally Zlín will form part of the FIA European Rally Championship calendar until at least 2028* following the inking of a new three-year agreement.
Signed within the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic in Prague by ERC manager Iain Campbell and Miloslav Regner, chairman of the organising committee of Barum Czech Rally Zlín earlier today, the contract extension covers the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons*.
“We are very pleased to be extending our long-standing partnership with Barum Czech Rally Zlín to cover the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons*,” said Campbell. “Every August we're not only assured of a very warm welcome, but we can also count on plenty of action and a guarantee of tens of thousands of fans lining the route. The organisers go to great lengths to put on a spectacular show and never hold back in finding ways to tweak the route to keep the challenge fresh and exciting for the competitors.”
Barum Czech Rally Zlín first hosted the ERC in 1984 and has enjoyed an almost unbroken stay on the calendar since. The all-asphalt event attracts huge spectator and competitor numbers each year.
The Zlín super special stage attracts thousands of fans.jpg
© ERC
“We are extremely pleased that the promoter of the European Championship continues to cooperate with us,” said Regner. “From a common perspective, we see that to continue the work we have set out to do is the right way. We see that the European championship have a great diversity of the starting field in terms of drivers and brands.”
Ing. Karel Havlíček, vice-chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic said: “The Barum Rally is one of the most important sporting events, popular among not only all motorsport fans. I am very well aware of how much work and energy goes into preparing this prestigious event. The organisers, crews and, last but not least, the spectators who come here regularly have my respect. The Zlín Rally has a unique atmosphere, which I personally witnessed two years ago. I am honoured to be able to once again patronise this prestigious sporting event, which will be part of the FIA European Championship for the next three years. This is excellent news, because this competition inherently belongs to the Czech Republic.”
ERC stars are set to compete in Zlín until at least 2028.jpg
© ERC
Barum Czech Rally Zlín director Jan Regner outlined the benefits the event brings to the entire Zlín region annually.
“Thanks to the promoter, the Barum Rally gains global media coverage, with all the rally stages being broadcast live. In addition to the media benefits, economic aspects are very important. It is thanks to the promoter that a very large and high-quality starting field comes to Zlín. This attracts tens of thousands of spectators who have to travel by car, eat somewhere and sleep somewhere. From this point of view, the new three-year contract is not only important for us, but also for the city of Zlín and the Zlín region, and therefore for the whole Czech Republic.
“The most important thing is the irreplaceable revenue to public budgets of 42 million crowns. This amount represents the value that our event will bring, and which would never have been spent in the Czech Republic if this rally had not been held.”
This year’s Barum Czech Rally Zlín counts as round six of the ERC season and takes place from 15 - 17 August. Up next on the ERC schedule is BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia from 29 - 31 May.
*The ERC calendar for each season remains subject to FIA World Motorsport Council approval
