Barum Czech Rally Zlín: The ERC Heads for One of Its Toughest Tests

Isak Reiersen is one of the drivers coming to Czech Republic with high hopes to challenge for a top position. Photo: Christian Flodin

There are rallies where speed is everything. Then there is Barum Czech Rally Zlín — where speed is only the beginning.

The FIA European Rally Championship heads to Zlín from August 14–16 for one of the most demanding and atmospheric events on the calendar. The 55th running of the Czech classic brings the ERC crews onto the narrow, fast and notoriously bumpy asphalt roads of the Zlín region, where blind crests, forest sections and rapidly changing grip levels leave almost no room for mistakes. With 13 stages and 205.79 kilometres against the clock, the rally promises another intense weekend of European rallying.

Barum has a character of its own. The roads can look deceptively clean and fast, but beneath the surface lies a challenge that punishes even the smallest loss of concentration. Rain can transform the stages in minutes, while the rough asphalt and high-speed forest sections place huge demands on both car and crew. And then there is the atmosphere. Few ERC events can match the passion of the Czech fans, with the famous Zlín night-time superspecial providing a spectacular opening to the weekend.

At the front of the field, all eyes will be on Teemu Suninen. The Finn arrives in Zlín as the ERC championship leader and fresh from taking his maiden ERC victory on Rally Poland. His confidence will be high, but Barum presents an entirely different challenge. More importantly, this will be Suninen's first competitive appearance on the demanding Zlín stages, meaning the championship leader will have to balance outright pace with the need to learn the rally quickly.

One driver looking to make the most of that opportunity is Isak Reiersen. The young Swede has already shown that he has the speed to fight at the sharp end of the ERC field, and he returns to Zlín in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 alongside Stefan Gustavsson. After his strong progress on asphalt, Barum offers another opportunity to prove that his pace can translate into a serious result on one of Europe's most challenging tarmac rallies.

But the battle will be far bigger than just Suninen and Reiersen. A strong field of Rally2 machinery, experienced Czech specialists and hungry ERC contenders will all be chasing the same thing: a place at the top of the timing sheets when the final Power Stage is complete.

For three days, Zlín will once again become the centre of European rallying. Fast cars, rough asphalt, thousands of fans and absolutely no room for hesitation — Barum is ready to deliver another chapter of rallying at its rawest.

Written by: Christian Flodin