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Entry list for the Barum Czech Rally Zlín has been revealed!

4. 8. 2025 - Roman Ordelt

Traditionally, eleven days before the start of the BARUM CZECH RALLY ZLÍN, the list of registered crews for this year's 54th edition was published. The organizers from the Barum Zlín Auto Club in the Auto Club of the Czech Republic announce the final number 122 entries. Crews from a total of 20 countries will arrive to Bata's city in the middle of August. The competition starts in front of the Zlín Town Hall on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 4 p.m. The crews will face a 754 km route, which includes 13 special stages on seven sections with a total length of 207 km.

In the international field, there are a total of 65 crews, 47 competitors with ERC priority will be competing for points in the sixth part of the european championship. 26 drivers will drive with ERC 1 priority. Among the registered crews, the ones from the very top of the championship standings will be present at the start – the leader of the ERC standings Mikolaj Marczyk from Poland, followed by second in the standings Andrea Mabellini from Italy (both Škoda Fabia RS Rally2). The title fight also includes experienced Mads Ostberg from Norway (Citroën C3 Rally2), who won the WRC World Championship in Portugal thirteen years ago. Simon Wagner from Austria (Hyundai i20 N Rally2), who finished second last year will come back to Zlín too, as well as former European champion and reigning British champion Chris Ingram (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) or Stéphane Lefebvre from France (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2). The latter became the junior world and European champion in previous years. Other leading drivers starting in Zlín are Jon Armstrong from Ireland (Ford Fiesta Rally2 MkII), Mille Johansson from Sweden, Simone Tempestini from Romania, Jakub Matulka from Poland (all Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) and Max McRae from Great Britain (Citroën C3 Rally2).

The Czech Championship has a great season and a hallmark of exceptional quality this year. The quality of the domestic championship has been further extended by the presence of Austrian Simon Wagner. Dominik Stříteský will take the starting line as the defending winner, who is getting back on pace after a poor start to the season. Eleven-time Barum rally winner Jan Kopecký (both Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) and the current leader of the Czech championship Filip Mareš (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) are also expected to fight not only for points in the Czech championship but for the overal result as well. The fastest Czech baker Adam Březík (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) and Erik Cais (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) will compete in front of the home fans as the dark horses. Cais will also complete the Rzeszowski Rally in Poland as a test and practice before the Zlín rally. The numerous spectators will look forward to multiple Czech champion Václav Pech (Citroën C3 Rally2), Martin Vlček, Filip Kohn, Ján Kundlák, Věroslav Cvrček, Petr Trnovec (all Škoda Fabia RS Rally2), Aleš Jirásek (Škoda Fabia R5), Jakub Jirovec (Toyota GR Yaris RS Rally2) and others.

In the ERC 3 category, the leader of the standings, Tymek Abramowski (Ford Fiesta Rally3), will be among the 9 registered drivers, as well as his compatriots Hubert Kowalczyk, Blazej Gazda (both Renault Clio Rally3), Adrian Rzeznik or Róbert Kolčák from Slovakia (both Ford Fiesta Rally3). The ambassador of Barum rally, Daniel Polášek (Ford Fiesta Rally3), will compete with the European top as well. With the absence of Tristan Charpentier from France, Abramowski is almost certain to win the Fiesta Rally3 Trophy.

The European Junior Championship returns to Zlín after a year gap. This year, the great talent Calle Carlberg from Sweden (Opel Corsa Rally4) reigns supreme, and he may be crowned European champion ahead of schedule. He will be up against British pilot Ioan Lloyd (Peugeot 208 Rally4) or Estonian youngster Jaspar Vaher. It will also be interesting to watch other talents from Europe, such as Craig Rahill from Ireland (both Lancia Ypsilon Rally4 HF) and compatriots Aoife Raftery, Keelan Grogan (both Peugeot 208 Rally4). A total of 12 juniors will fight for European points. It will be excitind to watch how Czech drivers will do against the european ones in the 2wd class. Above all, Jaromír Tarabus or, within the national field, David Štefan, Patrik Kdér (all Peugeot 208 Rally), Filip Ocelka (Renault Clio Rally4) or Peter Surovič (Opel Corsa Rally4) will certainly make an impact on the two-wheeled ranking within the European field.

Among the interesting names, Hiroki Arai from Japan, son of two-time world champion Toshihiro Arai, will appear in Zlín for the second time. Hiroki will fly to the Czech Republic to test Dunlop tires. Since this manufacturer is not registered in the European Championship, he will drive a Škoda Fabia R5 in the international field among unregistered drivers. The latest Porsche competition car, the 992 GT3, will be presented in the national field by Pieter Jan Michiel Cracco from Belgium. The original plan was to start with this car in the European field, but the FIA RGT technical certificate could not be processed in time.

FIA ERC OVERALL STANDINGS AFTER 5 ROUNDS
1. Miko Marczyk (POL) ... 107
2. Andrea Mabellini (ITA) ... 85
3. Mads Ostberg (NOR) ... 76
4. Roope Korhonen (FIN) ... 60
5. Isak Reiersen (SWE) ... 60
6. Jon Armstrong (IRL) ... 54
7. Mille Johansson (SWE) ... 42
8. Martins Sesks (LAT) ... 35
9. Nikolay Gryazin (BUL) ... 34
10. Eyvind Brynildsen (NOR) ... 31

ERC3
1. Tymek Abramowski (POL) ... 122
2. Tristan Charpentier (FRA) ... 87
3. Hubert Kowalczyk (POL) ... 77
4. Igor Widlak (POL) ... 75
5. Blazej Gazda (POL) ... 71

ERC4 (J)
1. Calle Carlberg (SWE) 114
2. Ioan Lloyd (GBR) 75
3. Victor Hansen (SWE) 74
4. Jaspar Vaher (EST) 61
5. Sergi Pérez (ESP) 52

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.

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