Barum Czech Rally Zlín 

105 crews have presented in Zlín, all favourites included!

27. 8. 2014 - Roman Ordelt, press relations officer BCRZ

The Barum Czech Rally Zlín secretariat was under big load during the Tuesday afternoon. Rally participants started to meet in Zlín, their final number had risen up to 105, together they have come from 21 countries. None of the biggest favourites is missing from the first 50 crews on the list of entries have excused only two drivers – Czech Petr Hozák and Mattias Olsson from Sweden. Many crews of the top group then appeared at a popular autograph session.

As first have picked up the road book local Antonín Tlusťák, one of the Czech ERC regulars. "Unofficialy the first one was a Romanian crew of Alexandru Filip and Bogdan Iancu, but they came to us too early as the presentation begun right at noon," said Mrs. Marta Regnerová, the Chief of the secretariat. During Tuesday there appeared 103 crews, the last two were registered on Wednesday morning. Unlike previous years there are not missing any favourites such as Craig Breen, Ott Tänak, Esapekka Lappi, Kevin Abbring or Bruno Magalhaes. "First excuse on the list can be found at No. 28 Petr Hozák followed with No. 48 – a Swedish driver Olsson," added Regnerová. The crews not only picked up the road books, but also received reconnaissance GPS units and they could pass an optional administrative check.

For Wednesday and Thursday there is scheduled a rally route reconnaissance. A first are planned stages of Leg 2 and on Thursday stages of Leg 1. The reconnaissance will be finished with training at city Super special stage during Thursday night. The 44th edition of Barum Czech Rally Zlín will start on Friday 29 August, 5 p.m. in front of Zlín town hall and will finish at the same place two days later, on Sunday at 4 p.m. In that time the competitors will have behind 642 kilometres of the rally route containing 235 kilometres of the specials stages. The rally will be opened with popular city Super special stage in the streets of Zlín and former Baťa factory area.

Crews not picking up the road books:
29 Petr Hozák, Josef Radina (CZE, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX, JT Rocksteel Rally Team)
48 Mattias Olsson (SWE, Ford Fiesta R2, Mattias Olsson)
53 Zoltán Bessenyey, Yulianna Nyirfásová (HUN, Honda Civic Type-R R3, Eurosoů Racing Team Hungary)
57 Simone Tempestini, Dorin Pulpea (ROU, Citroën DS3 R3T)
67 Martin Vopatřil, Michal Večerka (CZE, Škoda Fabia R2, Montrago-Racing)
69 Michal Horák, Ivan Horák (CZE, Škoda Fabia R2, Montrago-Racing)
73 Slawomir Ogryzek, Mirek Szczepan (POL, Peugeot 208 R2, Slawomir Ogryzek)
74 Tomáš Pletka, Ondřej Vichtora (CZE, Citroën DS3 R3T, Tomáš Pletka)
78 Daniel Vladyka, Pavel Šivic (Honda Civic Type-R, AK Racing Klub v AČR)
80 Eric Bagnoud, Michel Lamon (CHE, Peugeot 206 RC, Ecurie du Geneve)
81 Martin Trojek, Jan Mastacan (CZE, Honda Civic Type-R, Trojek Racing Team, s.r.o.)
91 Petr Chodura, Petr Chodura jr. (CZE, Citroën DS3 R3T, Petr Chodura)
97 Lukáš Nekvapil, Roman Koscelník (CZE, Honda Civic VTi, Minařík)
105 Marek Holík (Honda Civic VTi, Petr Kolář)
111 Dmitrij Jakimacho, Jurij Čamenka (BLR, Citroën C2 R2, Dmitrij Jakimacho)
114 Jiří Lichovník, Jan Mikulík (Honda Civic VTi, Petr Kolář)

Changes in the list of entries
17: car Ford Fiesta R5 instead of Citroën DS3 2000 RRC
32: co-driver Karel Vajík (CZE) instead of Milan Škubník
35: car Subaru Impreza STi instead of Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX
38: co-driver Radim Orava (CZE)
47: co-driver Cathy Derosseaux (FRA) instead of Xaviera Panseriho
62: co-driver Klára Šillerová (CZE)
88: co-driver Kamil Heller (POL) instead of Yuliya Pachinskaya (RUS)
94: co-driver Zdeněk Gajdošík (CZE)
116: co-driver Michal Bilka (CZE)