Barum Czech Rally Zlín 

Barum rally will visit the place of pilgrimage Velehrad

15. 7. 2025 - Roman Ordelt

The organizers of the 54th BARUM CZECH RALLY ZLÍN 2025 will place a regrouping control during the Saturday section in the village of Velehrad in the Uherské Hradiště region. An important spiritual and pilgrimage center in the Czech Republic will come to life with a roar of rally cars in the area in front of the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St. Cyril and Methodius.

Velehrad is a place of pilgrimage and history of the cultural heritage of Moravia. It is a venue of frequent church gatherings and Cyril and Methodius celebrations. The history of Velehrad began more than 800 years ago with the arrival of the first Cistercian monks, who founded a monastery here, and the place is associated with the spiritual tradition of Saints Constantine and Methodius from the 9th century. In 1990, Pope John Paul II visited Velehrad. Velehrad is home to one of the most important religious buildings in the Czech Republic – the Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St. Cyril and Methodius. Its underground hides the remains of the original monastery from the 13th century and the modern exhibition "Martyrion – Witnesses of Faith of the 20th Century", which presents the struggle of believers with the communist regime.

"This year we are driving the Bunč Royal Special Stage in the opposite direction from Salaš to Roštín. After last year's, when we accumulated a large delay, we decided that in each section after two special stages, a regrouping check would take place. We worked with the option that the venue should be located approximately six kilometers before the start of the stage, so that the drivers could warm up their tires during the crossing. Looking at the map, the most beautiful place that we could not imagine would work out for us was Velehrad," said Ing. Jan Regner, Director of Barum Czech Rally Zlín.

The competition field will appear in Velehrad on the square in front of the basilica on Saturday, August 16th, twice. The first car will arrive for the regrouping in the morning at 11:16 a.m., and the second time at 5:05 p.m. "Thanks go to the municipality of Velehrad, led by the mayor and the parish priest in Velehrad. We are very pleased that, thanks to the Archbishopric of Olomouc and the Forests of the Czech Republic, we can once again hold the special stage at Bunč. We thank everyone for their excellent cooperation," said Jan Regner.

During this year's Barum rally, a beautiful tourist destination in the Zlín region will be combined with a major sporting event of international importance. Velehrad will become even more visible and, for example, the promoter of the European Championship is considering holding interviews with the drivers at this sacred place. Motorsport fans also have the opportunity to visit Velehrad and briefly talk to the crews during the regrouping, take photos or videos.

For more information, visit www.czechrally.com and don't forget to follow Barum Czech Rally Zlín on social networks, official Facebook, Instagram, Twitter profiles and in other press releases.