A total of 114 crews from 22 countries applied to the Zlín organizers. With the exception of the Frenchman Yoann Bonat, no one is missing from the head of the well-rounded European Championship.
„In recent years, the best starting fields have appeared in Zlín. Hayden Paddon, Mads Ostberg, but also the last European champions Efrén Llarena, Alexej Lukjaňuk or Chris Ingram will come.
Fans of rally sport can look forward to a comparison of elite drivers from the European championship with the top Czechs.” explained Barumka’s press spokesman Roman Ordelt.
The King of Barumka, Jan Kopecký, won the Zlín rally a total of ten times, of which he did not find a conqueror in the last seven years. This year, a pack of raptors in a row are grinding their teeth on his scalp.
„Among the biggest attractions for spectators is the start of two leading drivers who have won the World Championship competition in the past, namely Hayden Paddon from New Zealand and Mads Ostberg from Norway.” specified Ordelt.
The 36-year-old rider from distant Oceania is almost certain to be the European champion and will appear in the Czech Republic for the very first time. The last three European champions Efrén Llarena from Spain, Alexey Lukjaňuk in the colors of his new homeland of Cyprus and Chris Ingram from Great Britain will also be at the start.
The winner of two European gravel rallies Martinš Sesks from Latvia, as well as Mathieu Franceschi from France, Mikko Heikkilä from Finland, Simon Wagner from Austria and Andrea Mabellini from Italy will also be at the start of the European elite. The dark horse of the competition may be Joshua McErlean from Ireland, Simone Tempestini from Romania or Miklós Csomós from Hungary are also aiming high.
Filip Mareš, who is in eighth place in the running order, regularly starts in the European championship from the top Czech team. Erik Cais made three starts in Europe this year, who will focus his starts on WRC2 World Championship competitions, where he achieved excellent results in Monte Carlo and Sardinia.
„Alongside Kopecky, the extremely fast Dominik Stříteský, winner of the recent Bohemia rally, and Adam Březík, making his debut with the Škoda Fabia Rally2 Evo, are fighting not only for points in the Czech championship. Next, Martin Vlček will go with the ERC1 priority,” continued Roman Ordelt.
Of the total number of entries, 70 crews will ride in the international field, of that number, 41 are with ERC priority, while 24 riders will ride with ERC1 priority, two riders will ride ERC 3 and 15 riders will ride with ERC4 priority. There are a total of 34 cars in the Rally2/R5 category on the list of entries.
„Six women behind the wheel will also diversify the starting field. The famous Adrienn Vogelová from Hungary, Jekatěrina Statijevová from Bulgaria, Cristiana Opreaová from Romania will demonstrate their equestrian skills on the Czech tracks, as well as, for the first time, Rachele Somaschiniová from Italy, Aoife Rafteryová from Ireland and the Czech competitor Eliška Slavíková. added Ordelt, adding that world hockey champion and former successful NHL defenseman Filip Kuba will certainly attract the attention of the media and viewers.
