Appointed an ambassador for Barum Czech Rally Zlín earlier this year, Polášek is fifth in the ERC4 standings after five rounds and can make further progress in the title race with a strong haul of points on the challenging Tarmac event.
However, Hungarian HRT Racing drivers Márton Bertalan and Patrik Herczig will rival Polášek for glory with all three competing in Peugeot 208 Rally4s.
“Barum Rally is a matter of heart for me,” said Polášek, who lives and works in Zlín. “It is an incredible honour for me to be an ambassador of the rally. In short, it is a dream come true.”
Polášek, whose last ERC appearance was on the loose-surface Delfi Rally Estonia in early July, has two Barum Czech Rally Zlín starts to his name. He rates himself as being adept on both gravel and asphalt but is more than aware of the challenge in store this week.
“The races in Zlín were some of the hardest I have ever driven,” said the 25-year-old Czech talent. “We struggled with difficult track conditions, mostly rain and limited tyre choice, incredibly tough conditions. This year we want to finish at the top of the 2WDs in Zlín.”
While Polášek and Herczig have previous Barum Czech Rally Zlín experience to call upon, former fusbal player Bertalan (below) is an event rookie. But he’ll compete in Czech Republic on the back of claiming his second ERC4 runner-up spot of the season on Rally di Roma Capitale last month.
“It was a big adventure for us, we learned a lot, found a good set-up and we won the Power Stage, a big thing for us,” said the 23-year-old Hungarian 2WD champion from last season.
Wheelchair user Ciprian Lupu is also set for his first appearance in Zlín after scoring his maiden ERC4 points in Rome aboard his Renault Clio Rally5.
Meanwhile, Opel Corsa Rally4-powered Ekaterina Stratieva is preparing for her 15th Barum Czech Rally Zlín start having also claimed ERC4 points last time out.
Czech ace Réne Dohnal, the winner of the 2023 FIA European Rally Trophy, won’t be eligible for ERC4 points on Barum Czech Rally Zlín, but will be a contender for RC4 class honours in a Peugeot 208 Rally4.
How to watch?
Fans across the globe can experience the excitement and drama of the ERC with every stage of every rally broadcast Rally.tv platform. In addition, the ERC is broadcast in a number of countries around the world and fans are advised to check local listings for details.
Barum Czech Rally Zlín 2024: the key numbers
Stages: 15
Competitive distance: 201.79 kilometres
Total distance: 883.49 kilometres
Chile
Poland
China