Barum Rally: ERC hits the ground running in Czechia

The Barum confirms a trend observed throughout the year in the ERC. The events of this competition regularly offered fields of a quality rarely achieved in the European Championship. This is still the case in the Czech Republic, notably with the reinforcement of the Czechs, including a certain Jan Kopecky.

Published on 14/08/2023 à 08:24

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The penultimate round of the season (August 18-20) will take place on the difficult special stages around the town of Zlin which is located 300 km southeast of Prague. A pillar of the championship, this meeting is already a success with its 114 entrants, including 35 competitors lined up in Rally2.

The usual players from 2023 will once again be present. Hayden Paddon will aim for a 7^e consecutive podium in as many races. The New Zealander could even be crowned in the Czech Republic depending on the result of Martins Sesks. Will he manage to extend the deadline? THE rally preparation that the Latvian carried out in Poland (the Marma Rajd Rzeszowski) did not go very well, which made two mistakes in a row for Sesks. With 55 points behind, the latter is the only opponent to Paddon for the crown in ERC, but the Kiwi could be hampered by vengeful competitors who have experienced difficulties this season like Mads Ostberg (C3) or Efren Llarena (Fabia) the reigning champion.

Drivers like Andrea Mabellini (Fabia), Simon Wagner (Fabia), Mikko Heikkilä (Fabia) or the already interesting returnee in Rome Alexey Lukyanuk (Fabia) can also create surprises.

The fight for victory will most certainly concern the locals who, as in Italy recently, are always formidable on their land. This will be the case for Jan Kopecky. Since 2015, the former Skoda official has won this rally 10 times, including the last 7 contested editions, which necessarily places him in the column of potential winners. He will be joined by Erik Cais (Fabia) who was one special and one roll away from winning 2 years ago. Will the 24-year-old driver who perhaps did not have the expected season take his revenge this year? Regular, Filip Mares (Fabia) will also try to shine in front of his audience. Finally, among the curiosities, we must point out the return of the 2019 European champion. Chris Ingram who has not raced in the ERC since the 2020 Canaries (39^e in a Clio Rally5) will look to get back on track after some disappointing results. As in Ypres in June (2^e), he will operate a Polo R5.

Mathieu Franceschi (Fabia) will be the only Frenchman involved in Czechia. The Varois will discover still very specific terrain which can be very complicated in the event of rain.

Finally, the Barum will constitute the 5^e and penultimate meeting in ERC Junior. All the candidates, Ola Nore (Clio), Norbert Maior (208), Roberto Dapra (208) or Max McRae (208) will be present in Zlin.

With hostilities launching on Thursday evening in the streets of Zlin where the crowds are always present, the competitors will have to cover 13 stages representing 200,43 timed km.

ERC ranking after 6 meetings