ERC
ERC podium star Wagner set for Zlín a big winner
Simon Wagner will be on a high when he starts round six of the FIA European Rally Championship next month.
By winning the Czech championship-counting Rally Bohemia on 13 July and becoming Austrian champion for a fifth time with victory on Rallye Weiz on 19 July, Wagner is being tipped for further success when Barum Czech Rally Zlín takes place from 15 - 17 August.
The 32-year-old has finished the challenging Tarmac event on the podium for the last three seasons – the only driver to achieve to have achieved such a feat.
He is preparing to return at the wheel of a Michelin-equipped Hyundai i20 N Rally2 Step2, which he also drove to victory on Milkservis Rallye Šumava Klatovy – another Czech championship round – earlier this season.
Wagner has been making his Hyundai fly on the Czech stages
© Simon Wagner
With German Hanna Ostlender co-driving, Wagner’s victory on Rally Bohemia was particularly significant after he beat two of the best drivers from Czech Republic – Filip Mareš and Dominik Stříteský – to victory on Škoda’s home event.
Asked whether he can make it a hat-trick of wins on Czech soil this season, Wagner said: “It will very difficult. I am the only one being on the podium for the past three years so the next step would be the victory. We are extremely strong at the moment in all conditions and everyone knows I love Barum. The big ‘but’ is that Barum is unpredictable and everything can happen there. And I can’t think when some other manufacture than Škoda was on the podium.
“We will be fully and double prepared for this event as it’s also important for our Czech championship bid. The only known thing is that it will be an very exciting and eventful week, I’m very much looking forward to the season highlight.”
Rallye Weiz victory earned Wagner his fifth Austrian crown
© Simon Wagner
Of his latest Austrian title success, Wagner said: “We are also incredibly proud to be able to defend our title with our new package, and we are thrilled to bring Hyundai its first Austrian championship title. A huge thank you to Hanna, our Hyundai engineer Damian, and the entire team for the fantastic work and an incredible year so far. Without the tireless efforts of everyone involved, this definitely wouldn't have been possible. Thanks also to Hyundai Austria and Hyundai Motorsport for their support, as well as Michelin for perfect tyres. And to all sponsors, supporters and fans on the stages.”
Barum Czech Rally Zlín is a counting round of both the European and Czech championships, meaning the prospect of extremely strong competition is even higher than usual.
