Jan Kopecký
1st Overall
Was it ever in doubt? Kopecký is, unquestionably, the king of Zlín and his performance at this year’s event was as impressive as ever.
In treacherous conditions, the 40-year-old drove faultlessly to win his Barum Czech Rally Zlín by a comfortable 37.6sec. The brunt of that buffer was achieved in a single stage when Kopecký left his rivals floundering on the first pass of Držková.
Same again next year?
Filip Mareš
2nd Overall
Mareš admitted himself - he was too scrappy on Friday morning and dropped a few valuable seconds with a series of close calls. However, he was never far away from the leading pace and his result in second overall was proof of that.
The Fabia man has been fighting at the sharp-end two rallies for in a row now and is understood to be planning a full FIA European Rally Championship assault in 2023. If that comes to fruition, he’ll certainly be one to watch.
Simon Wagner
3rd Overall
Wagner’s last asphalt ERC outing was at Rally Islas Canarias back in May, but he definitely didn’t seem to be out of practice.
The stages in the Czech Republic are unique in character and it takes big commitment to challenge the local stars on their home roads. Wagner did just that - finishing as the highest-placed non-Czech driver with a podium to boot.
Erik Cais
4th Overall
For the second year running, Cais was denied a top result on home soil in the final stage.
Last year the Fiesta youngster crashed out of the lead, while this time around a rear left puncture prevented his podium bid. Regardless, both incidents were hard pills to swallow.
At just 23-years-old, Cais is already showing his impressive speed and it won’t be long before it all comes together.
Norbert Herczig
5th Overall (ERC)
This was, by far, Herczig’s best performance of the season. The happy Hungarian just seemed at home on the slippery roads and brought home a nice solid haul of points in fifth overall.
Those points proved pivotal in helping his Team MRF Tyres squad list the 2022 teams’ crown - proof, if ever, that teamwork is vital in rallying.
Laurent Pellier
Junior ERC champion
Pellier didn’t just win his category - he absolutely dominated it. And not for the first time this year, either.
With three wins from four FIA Junior ERC starts, Pellier and co-driver Marine Pelamourgues can no longer be caught - making them the 2022 champions with a round to spare.
Paulo Soria
Clio Trophy by Toksport WRT champion
When Soria’s Renault Clio punctured on Saturday morning, the pressure was on. But the Argentine showed maturity beyond his years and climbed back up the order to end third in the one-make series, which was enough to clinch the title.
Soria and co-driver Marcelo Der Ohannesian were in a class of their own this year and won four out of five rallies. Their future looks bright.
Finland
Italy
Hungary