Barum Czech Rally Zlín 

The Barum Rally has started and 105 crews have set off

30. 8. 2014 - Michael Kachlíř, Roman Ordelt, press centre BCRZ

On the stroke of five the 44th Barum Czech Rally Zlín began in front of the City hall. Each crew was presented in Náměstí Míru square. The first one to go down the starting ramp was Craig Breen, after him went Ott Tänak, Esapekka Lappi, Václav Pech, Kevin Abbring, Kajetan Kajetanowicz, Sepp Wiegand, Bruno Magalhaes, Roman Kresta, Robert Barrable and others.

Their departures were symbolically flagged by the Governor of the Zlín region MVDr. Stanislav Mišák, the Mayor of the city of Zlín MUDr. Miroslav Adámek, Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Czech Republic PaedDr. Alena Gajdůšková and other political representatives. Crowds of motorsport fans filled the square and watched the Ceremonial Star.

Craig Breen with British co-driver Martin Scott in Peugeot 208 T16 arrived first to the starting ramp. 'I'm happy to be here and I'm confident enough. My car has been tuned up perfectly,' optimistically said Breen in front of the fans. The fourth crew was Václav Pech and his co-driver Petr Uhel with Mini John Cooper Works S2000 who caused delight among the home crowd. 'It is unbelievable that so many people have come here. Every time you make a wonderful atmosphere,' Pech praised the spectators. Kajetan Kajetanowicz and his co-driver Jaroslaw Baran are participating for the first time. They came here from Poland with Ford Fiesta R5. Another first time contestants are Bruno Magalhães and Carlo Magalhães from Portugal on Peugeot 208 T16. He is currently the best Portuguese driver. 'I'm glad to be here even though it took me a while to come. It's my first time so it's going to be tough. But I will try to gain experiences although my car has been tuned up for a different surface,' said Bruno Magalhães.

The crowds gave significant applause to the tenth crew Roman Kresta and Petr Starý on Škoda Fabia S2000. Even though Kresta officially ended his career last year, he decided to compete this year for the nineteenth time. 'I didn't want to miss the Barum Rally. It's the top rally in the Czech Republic. We'll see about the weather,' said Kresta. 'We simply want to enjoy it,' added his co-driver Petr Starý. Overall 105 crews from 21 countries have taken off to win this year's Barum Rally.