Mareš, the winner of the Junior ERC title for Rally2 cars in 2019, took part on the rain-hit inaugural Rally Hungary that same year and excelled in the wet conditions before a technical failure stopped him in his tracks when a podium was possible.
For his return this week, the talented Czech driver is expected to compete in warm and dry conditions based on the current weather forecast in and around the city of Nyíregyháza, where the eighth and final round of the 2023 ERC season is based.
“I hope we will be competitive as the rally is similar to the Czech ones, at least some stages,” said the ACCR Entry Engineering driver. “But for sure it depends also on the weather.
"In 2019 we were quite strong on wet [stages] but we retired on the very beginning of the second day due to a technical issue. Let’s see if the stages are at least partially the same and if I am able to unearth some memories out of my brain. Anyway, I look forward to the fights with the other drivers, the break was too long since Barum.”
Mareš, 32, has been a model of consistency this season with six points finishes from seven starts aboard the Pirelli-equipped Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo he shares with co-driver Radovan Bucha. He sits eighth in the provisional standings, 17 points from third place.
Finland
Italy
Hungary