Barum Czech Rally Zlín 

Qualifying stage will once again open Barum Czech Rally Zlín

1. 8. 2015 - Roman Ordelt

On Friday morning 28 August there will be a prologue of the 45th Barum Czech Rally Zlín also known as the qualifying stage. Based on its results, the drivers with FIA and ERC priority can pick their starting order for Saturday's Leg 1. The qualifying stage will take place on a very well-known road from Komárov to Pohořelice with length 4.71 km.

The qualifying stage first appeared in the ERC championship two years ago and it was only for gravel surface oriented events. But last year it became part of all events in the FIA ERC. The qualifying stage is compulsory for all drivers with FIA and ERC priority. And what is it like? All crews between 7:30 a.m. and 9:10 a.m. will have a chance to test this stage from Komárov to Pohořelice twice, however, their times will not be measured. It is the third test that counts between 9:15 a.m. and 10:10 a.m. The starting order for this stage will be announced in advance. Interestingly, unlike special stages, which are measured in tenths of a second, this qualifying stage is measured in thousandths of a second. The results of the third test will be deciding for picking up the starting order. The drivers will choose their starting number on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Zlín town hall. The fastest driver of the qualifying stage will have the right to choose first. But only he and the following fourteen drivers can do so.

After the qualifying stage on the same road will take place a shakedown stage which many fans remember from the past years. Shakedown will take place between 10:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

The qualifying stage and shakedown are of a same character as the special stage Komárov which is in Barum rally's itinerary since its beginning. Shakedown starts at the end of a village called Komárov. Next, the drivers can expect fast section downhill on asphalt of a very good quality with many difficult turns. Moreover, near the local recreation centre Hájenka there will be an intersting section set in a forest and spiced up with turns and hairpins. After, there is a rapid drop and difficult turns around the farmhouse Leopoldov and an arrival to the village Pohořelice. The technically challenging section begins with a tricky turn over the edge onto the driveway between houses then narrow passage on concrete panels and a chain of turns which are spectators-accessible including a right 180° turn on a local square. Finish is in a left turn and stop post after approximately 200 metres next to a football field. Shakedown is 4.71 km long and is mostly situated on local roads with many level difficult ranging turns. Fans can expect Friday morning to be full of attractive and exciting races.