ERC
It’s 13 for Zlín’s 55th as build up to ERC round begins
The 55th Barum Czech Rally Zlín will feature 13 special stages over a competitive distance of 206 kilometres when it hosts round five of the FIA European Rally Championship this summer.
At a press conference in Zlín this morning, organiser Auto klub Barum Zlín revealed the route for the ERC’s all-asphalt counter, which will take place from 14 - 16 August and will also form a round of the Czech national championship.
Clerk of the course Jan Regner explained: “In recent years, we have placed emphasis on improving the quality of the special stages from a driving perspective. In the rally itinerary, we included the demanding section at Bunč the year before last, and after nearly 30 years, the Kateřinice stage returned to the Vsetín region. We extended this section all the way to the village of Pržno. This year, we took a major step on the route by not running the Březová stage in Slušovice. It was focused more on spectator appeal than driving value. Therefore, at the start of Saturday morning, we included the Pohořelice section, which is based on last year’s version of the shakedown. This was very positively evaluated by both the sporting and safety delegates.”
Jan Regner is the Barum Czech Rally Zlín clerk of the course
© Petr Linhart
The 55th Barum Czech Rally Zlín will begin on Friday 14 August with Free Practice for ERC Rally2 crews from 09:00 CET followed by the Qualifying Stage from 10:46 using a new route from Bělov to Žlutava.
Following the ceremonial start in front of Zlín’s town hall, crews will prepare for the ever-spectacular Zlín super special with the first ERC crews due to tackle the city centre test from 21:35.
Leg one continues on Saturday 15 August with three stages each run twice, Pohořelice, Troják, and Bunč.
Fans flock to the Zlín stages in huge numbers
© ERC
“We start the Pohořelice stage after the turnoff from the main road between Napajedla and Topolná,” Regner explained. “We will pass through Komárov and the attractive spectator spot on the village square in Pohořelice all the way to Oldřichovice, where the finish line is located just past the village.
“Due to its character and difficulty, Troják commands great respect, not only because of its length of 25.59 kilometres. It will run from Vlčková through Troják all the way to Rajnochovice. And the feared Bunč section will be run in its format from the year before last, with the start in the Kamínka area near Roštín.”
The itinerary on Sunday 16 August consists of three repeated stages, Pindula, Semetín, and Kateřinice with the second run of Kateřinice in the Vsetín region once again forming the event-deciding Power Stage. The finish is scheduled for 17:30 in Zlín’s Náměstí Míru square.
Simon Wagner will be on to watch on the Tarmac stages
© ERC
Thanks to the local residents and their helpfulness that we can complete these stages
“The classic Pindula section is extended from the start, followed by a hairpin turn to Zelené údolí, with the finish line at Lípa,” Regner said. “The attractive Semetín stage returns after a one-year hiatus, this time shortened from the finish, and the Kateřinice section was perfect last year, so it remained the same. We would like to ask fans not to visit the given locations, and especially forest paths where entry is prohibited. It is also thanks to the local residents and their helpfulness that we can complete these stages as part of the Barum Rally on the required dates.”
