Barum Czech Rally Zlín 

Zlín Region again a key partner of Barum rally

4. 8. 2023 - Roman ORDELT

Two weeks remain until the start of the 52nd edition of the Barum Czech Rally Zlín and preparations are reaching its final phase. The prestigious automobile competition in the Czech Republic, which has been included in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) for forty years, cannot do without significant financial support from state institutions. One of the main important partners and co-organiser is the Zlín Region.

"It is our pleasure to be one of the main partners of this unique sport event. Not only do we help the organisers with significant financial support, but we also traditionally provide them with premises in the Bata skyscraper, the headquarters of the Zlín Region, where the Barum rally has its headquarters and information centre during the rally days. And this year is no different. I would like to thank the organizers for making an elite competition of European format out of originally amateur competition and for giving their hearts to the Zlín Rally," said Ing. Radim Holiš, Governor of the Zlín Region.

At the July press conference, the organizers revealed the route of this year's event. As previously announced, some sections are returning to the itinerary after almost thirty years! Just like last year, a total of 13 stages will be run over a total of two hundred kilometres. "The drivers will get behind the wheel on Wednesday, when they will have test runs, followed by familiarisation runs a day later. On Friday morning they will take a shakedown at Maják, starting in Malenovice," said Ing. Jan Regner, rally's Clerk of the Course. The Barum rally will be held as a traditional part of the PSG Czech Rally Championship along with the European championship again.

The opening superspecial in the night streets of the regional city will be identical to last year's round, but other routes have already undergone significant changes. "On Saturday morning, the Slušovice stage will be on the agenda, followed by the Kateřinice SS. It must be noted that this is not a complete return of the classic special stage in its usual length. Anyway, we did get it partially to a forest section, for which we are very grateful. The last time it was run there was in 1994," said Jan Regner. The third track on Saturday will be the Troják, the longest timed section of this year's Barum rally. All stages will be run twice. "On Sunday, the crews will start with Semetín, which will make them happy in the morning," smiled Regner and continued: "Next will be Pindula, where there will be another old section, which is on the district of the village of Želechovice nad Dřevnicí. Here I would like to thank the authorities of the village, as well as the Bata forests in the case of Saturday's Kateřinice. However, back to Sunday, when we will finish with the second passage of SS Halenkovice, run as the Power Stage with the finish in Žlutavy. The cars should arrive in front of the Zlín Town Hall around 5 pm," the rally's Clerk of the Course finished the description of the track.

In the last weeks of preparations, it is also busy around the tracks, where the organizers pay attention to the smallest details. "This year we are more concerned not only with the safety of the spectators but also the drivers. We are cutting the grass so that the fans don't sit in the nettles, can see and yet stand safely. There are also many bridges, gates and pillars along the track that we have to secure," noted Miloslav Regner, chairman of the organising committee.

More information available at www.czechrally.com and don't forget to follow Barum rally and Star Rally Historic on the official Facebook, Instagram, Twitter accounts and other press information.