The Barum Rally again promises a star entry list and top-class cars
PRESS RELEASE no. 4
Three months before the start of the 40th edition of the popular Barum Rally, the organizers have released new information on this year’s edition. Like in the previous years, the event will be held as part of the prestigious Intercontinental Rally Challenge and FIA European Rally Championship. The event is also part of Mediasport International Rally Championship of the Czech Republic 2010.
This year’s Barum Czech Rally Zlin will include two stages extra unlike in the previous years. After the Friday Super Special Stage in Zlin, the crews will go through eight stages each day – Saturday and Sunday. “The current trends require making competitions on as small space as possible. It is both practical and money saving. We have shortened some stages and that is why we have added two stages to the Sunday leg. Both on Saturday and Sunday the crews will go through four sections twice,“ confirmed Miloslav Regner, clerk of the course.
The last year’s Barum Rally has been spoken of in superlatives. The organizers, crews and fans were very pleased and the international marshals even awarded the event with the highest possible evaluation. This year’s anniversary edition should be at least as good. The best rally drivers are coming to Zlin. “We don’t have any official applications yet, it’s still too early but according to who has booked accommodation in and around Zlin for the event, we can guess that there will be at least as high-quality competition here as last year. None of the front drivers of the IRC should be missing,“ said Miloslav Regner.
As part of the rally, a vintage car rally will be held again. The cars will go through all Saturday stages right after the crews with modern cars. “On Friday, 27th August, the vintage cars will start at 8 p.m. for the city super stage in Zlin,“ said the clerk of the course. “After the Saturday stages, a ceremonial prize-giving for he vintage cars rally will be held on the finish platform in front of the Big Cinema,“ said Regner.
The 40th anniversary should be liven up but visits of personalities who participated in the past, for example Pavel Valoušek sr. The quadruple Czech rally champion will participate in the Barum Rally for the 24th time. “I’ve always liked this even, so I’ll be happy to take part with the legendary Škoda 130 RS. It’s an original piece which I’m trying to spare and I’m very careful about it but I’d like to use it for the super special stage,“ said the driver who ended up right under the top three in absolute order in 1978.
His son Pavel Valoušek jr. is one of the favourites of this year’s event. The Skoda’s factory driver is on top of the Czech rally championship. He has won twice out of five so far finished events and if he does well in the Barum Rally, he can get closer to becoming the champion. “The car works perfectly so the goal to win the Czech championship is real. I’m really looking forward to the Barum Rally,“ said Valoušek jr.
In opposition to the previous years, a few organization changes will take place. “We are returning to a more ceremonial concept of the scrutineering, which will be held on Thursday from 6:30 p.m. in the Euronics sports hall. After last year’s bad experience when the police had to ensure clear passage through the road between Zlin and Otrokovice due to traffic, we will avoid this road. The shakedown will start at 8 a.m. in the Komárov – Pohořelice section,“ said Regner.
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