ERC
ERC 2025 rally recap: Kopecký makes it 12 wins in Zlín
FIAERC.com continues its lookback on the 2025 FIA European Rally Championship by visiting another epic Barum Czech Rally Zlín when more homegrown history was made.
The winners: Jan Kopecký fended off a stern challenge from Jon Armstrong to secure victory on his home round of the ERC for the 12th time. Driving a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 on Michelin tyres, the 2013 ERC champion, co-driven by Jiří Hovorka, edged out Armstrong by 10.7sec across 13 challenging asphalt stages. Making a 20th start on the famous asphalt rally, Kopecký once again outlined his class proving to be the driver to beat, recording five stage wins on his way to victory. ERC title contender Andrea Mabellini boosted his championship hopes by claiming the final step on the podium and the Power Stage best time, while points leader Miko Marczyk finished seventh. Mabellini caused an upset on the opening night by winning the Zlín super special but his time in the lead was short-lived as Kopecký shot into top spot after winning SS2 on the first morning. It was a lead that Kopecký refused to give up for the remaining 11 stages, although it wasn’t a plain sailing run to victory.
Armstrong excelled by mounting big pressure on home hero Kopecký
© ERC
Turning point: Kopecký came under pressure from Hyundai i20 N Rally2 driver Simon Wagner and Mabellini through leg one, as his advantage was reduced to 1.2sec at midday service. Wagner was on course to steal the lead on the first afternoon before suffering a tyre deflation and a half spin in SS7 – the second run through Bunč – which dropped the Austrian out of the battle and down to fourth. Stage wins on both passes through Bunč helped M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s Armstrong vault from fifth to second, ending leg one 6.5sec behind leader Kopecký. Armstrong, driving a Pirelli-equipped Ford Fiesta Rally2, managed to reduce the deficit to 6.3sec on the final morning, before Kopecký responded in front of his home crowd. The Czech driver managed to extend his lead through the remaining five stages as he completed an impressive victory. Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy-backed Armstrong equalled his best ERC result as he landed his second podium of the season.
Wagner was pushing for first place when tyre damage dropped him back
© ERC
How did it feel? “I’m shaking now because after last year I was not expecting I could be as fast as this during this year,” said Kopecký. “For sure, thanks a lot to my co-driver and my team and to everyone because it has paid off.”
Miracle man: Local star Daniel Polášek was attempting to close on Casey Jay Coleman for second in ERC3 but opted to hold station after a spin on SS9. “I wanted to catch Coleman so I decided I would try to push but I pushed too much and we spun in a narrow section,” he said. “I can’t understand it but we didn’t hit anything and got out so we decided just to finish the rally by getting some experience with no more risk.”
Podium time with Armstrong, Kopecký and Mabellini
© ERC
Shining through: Martin Vlček sealed victory in the FIA Master ERC category with a 5min 25.2sec advantage over Darius Biedrzyński.
Hubert Kowalczyk (Renault Clio Rally3) took the FIA ERC3 honours for the first time with second-placed Casey Jay Coleman the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy winner.
Calle Carlberg sealed the Hankook-supported FIA Junior ERC title despite driveshaft failure ending his rally victory bid on day one. The event win was claimed by Craig Rahill on his first start in a Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF. Rahill beat rookie Karl Peder Nordstrand by 35.9sec.
Junior ERC champion Carlberg is embraced by co-driving father Torbjörn
© ERC
Early setback: The 2024 Barum Czech Rally Zlín winner and Qualifying Stage pacesetter Dominik Stříteský was locked in the fight at the front until SS3 when an overshoot at a chicane caused damage to three of his four wheels and forced the local hero to retire from fourth position. He restarted on leg two but crashed heavily.
Miklós Csomós, making his return to ERC action, retired after crashing out on SS2. Fellow Team MRF Tyres’ driver Simone Tempestini also hit trouble on the same stage that resulted in the Romanian driver retiring with a suspension issue.
ERC3 points leader Tymek Abramowski retired with suspension damage on SS2.
What’s next? JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion
