Barum Rally: Dominik Stritesky wins qualifying

After a break of just over a month from Rome, the competitors of theERC 2025 made their comeback in the Czech Republic. Every year, the Barum is one of the championship's special events with its very fast sections, its smooth tarmac that offers little grip, and the bumpy sections that cause surprises during each edition. To get back into the rhythm, the qualifying special took place on a 7 km track located a few kilometers southwest of the service park, which is set up as usual in the city of Zlin (290 km southeast of Prague).

On a dusty road with slippery sections and where mistakes had to be avoided in the chicanes and against the curbs, Dominik Stritesky (Fabia RS) set the fastest time. This wasn't necessarily the goal of the 25-year-old Czech, who hoped that faster competitors would sweep the road for him. This was not to be the case. Among his compatriots, local legend Jan Kopecky (Fabia RS) didn't want to push hard and the multiple winner settled for 5th place.^e The former official Skoda driver was pleased to be able to track some of the teams. His rival in the race for the national title, Filip Mares (Yaris), took 8th place.^e place and Adam Brezik (Fabia RS) the 6^e. Uninspired by this time, Erik Cais (i20) is only 10^e and the former cyclist expects to encounter pollution on the road tomorrow.

In the absence of Mads Ostberg (C3), who ultimately withdrew after failing to find a replacement co-driver, a duel is looming. Andrea Mabellini (Fabia RS) finished ahead of Mikolaj Marczyk (Fabia RS). The two men will be able to observe each other closely during the 13 special stages to be contested. Recently crowned Austrian champion and winner of Bohemia in the Czech Republic, Simon Wagner (i20) only finished 7th^e place, but we will have to keep an eye on the performances of the 32-year-old Austrian. As tradition dictates, the first SS will take place this evening in the streets of Zlin where a fiery atmosphere is expected.