XXXI. Barum Rally - Press information nr.7

Gyration on the ground of Focuses

(15.8. 2001)

A few last days before the start of Barum Rally can be every year characterised by tension and interesting situation development about the participation of some competition favourites. The same situation is also in the case of 31st Barum Rally.

One of the most interesting moments is the process concerning two cars Ford Docus WRC, which are in the starting list of Barum Rally.

The first one will be representing the home Barum Rally team and in his cockpit will sit the crew Trajbold - Zelinka. Their Focus WRC model 2000 was delivered by M-Sport company a week ago, on Wednesday, 8 August. The following weekend this car was intensively tested by Trajbold. In the presence of the British technician he focused on the checking of different possibilities of setting up of suspension, especially absorbers, limbers, stabilisers and differentials (active ones are front and middle axle). In comparison with the 1999 model, which he borrowed in the beginning of this year from the Jolly Club company, this model was blessed by the driver for its more eligible and tuned carriage for the asphalt track.
"Everything came out according to our plan. After optimal tuning of the suspension I was more concentrated on the driving. Now I can say that I drove the 4-wheeler after long time. We will please Thursday's shakedown as the next possibility to pass few sharp kilometres before the start of the competition", said Jan Trajbold.
Another top Ford representing yellow and blue colours will be seen during the Barum Rally. There will certainly be a two-wheeler Ford Escort RS Maxi Kit Car, which was mostly seen driven by Trajbold with Zelinka during this year's competitions. But in the Sprint Rally in Brno it was driven by Starý with Šlambora, who will be seen in the Barum Rally. A just great thanks comes to Jaroslav Starý for the "big shift" in the quality and tuning of this originally circle serial.

Even Ford Focus WRC from Zlín Jolly Club contrary to the previous expectations will probably be present in the start of the Barum Rally. The team management signed contract with the manager of talented Italian driver Emanuele Dati (born 1975, debut 1994). This young driver hasn´t driven very often on the asphalt, yet and his biggest successes are connected with the gravel courses. During his first big competition on the asphalt, which was the perfectly occupied Deutschland Rally, he won the classification of group N and beated down even the home favourite of this category Herman Gassner.

In the Barum Rally, alongside of Emanuele Dati there will be an experienced Max Chiapponi, who won as a co-driver of Enrico Bertone in Zlin in 1995.
"Emanuele came to the Czech Republic to try his car and meet our team. First of all, he wants to gain some valuable experience with WRC car on the asphalt surface. I wish him to finish the competition. If everything goes well and Emanuele catches the right bat, I think the final result up to 6th place will be a realistic aim", said Roman Vaškůj, the chairmen of Jolly Club, who is planning to have a meeting with Dati and his manager concerning the future co-operation of the Italian driver and Zlin team on Monday.