Changes in Spectators Super Special Stage in the streets of Zlín

Articles

18. 8. 2016 - Jakub Hofbauer

For the twelfth time Barum Czech Rally Zlín will start with a city circuit special stage right in the heart of Zlín. This year's route is influenced by an ongoing reconstruction of roads in Zlín, particularly a half of flyover connecting the centre with the north bank of river Dřevnice and a reconstruction of supermarket and adjacent car park below the Jižní Svahy district.

The city circuit made a first appearance in an itinerary at 35^th Barum Rally and since then it has been a constant part attracting thousands of spectators. Being in the heart of the city, it still attracts locals who are not hard-die motor sport fans. Unlike fans, for drivers this stage poses a serious challenge. Three technical laps of total ten kilometres, which are lined by tricky curbs, right at the beginning of Barum Rally should not be taken lightly.

In the early years, the stage started at Bartošova Street, leading to the former Svit factory, then to bus station and after leaving the circuit part passed the flyover to shopping centre Čepkov, then turned left upstream Dřevnice to the finish line. Later, the start line was moved to Vodní Street and after clearing railway crossing, the circuit measured more than three kilometres. This traditional route has been changed this year due to substantial innovations. 'For this year, we changed the direction in the Svit area,' said Petr Juřík, main organiser of city circuit stage. 'Therefore, after start the crews will not go from Vodní Street to Gahurová Street, but they turn right to bus station. There will be as usually two wide U-turns and then they enter Svit area. After passing by Building no. 21 (Bata's skyscraper), the former HousaCar bus station and the new UTB building, they turn to Gahurova Street leading on flyover where they join the former route. Parts through shopping centre Čepkov and by the river bank Dřevnice remain the same,' said Juřík.

From a spectator's point of views, the reconstructions pose problems, mainly the very popular place on flyover. It is open to traffic, but because of safety reasons, spectators will not be allowed to go there. 'Currently, there are only two clear lines on the flyover out of four, which is enough for the racing specials but not for any spectators' place. We would like to inform all fans that without any exceptions, this place is closed for spectators. Pavement by the flyover is open until Friday 5 p.m., after closure for all traffic, any people standing there, will be asked to go to other spectators' places. It is also prohibited to enter technological base of construction and construction itself, because of safety reasons,' alerted Petr Juřík and continued: 'Reconstruction of supermarket Lidl and adjacent car park for about hundred and fifty cars poses another complication as it will not be at disposal for spectators. Therefore, alternative parking will be made from a right line of communication from intersection Pod Babou in the direction to Jižní Svahy district.'

Despite these complications, fans can still expect rich motor sport experience. At 6 p.m. vintage cars from 20^th and 30^th will appear as a part of the Exhibition drive and the sixth Grand Prix Bugatti. At 7:15 p.m., ninety slightly newer cars from Star Rally Historic will make their way followed by the main pack of racing specials at 9 p.m. starting in reverse order. Three biggest favourites will start according to the schedule before Friday midnight. Fireworks will end the big car show.

Spectators Super SS Zlín in numbers:
Number of spectators: around 35 - 40 thousands
Number of marshals: 120
Length of fence barriers: 1370 m
Length of delimiting net: 1330 m
Length of plastic crash barriers: 430 m
Length of concrete crash barriers: 100 m
Number of tyre walls: 80
Total number of passages of racing cars in SSS Zlín: 700

Map of Super SS Zlín for download:
http://www.czechrally.com/wcd/docs/2016/bcrz_2016_map_sss_zlin.pdf

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