Barum Czech Rally Zlín 

Flash Info after the Qualifying Stage

24. 8. 2018 - Evžen Gargulák

We interviewed the top drivers after their first taste of this year's Barum rally. The Qualifying Stage returned to the section Komárov - Pohořelice. Many drivers found it challenging due to their choice of tyres for the technical 4.71 km long stage. Most of them chose softer tyres because of rain forecast and they did not want to damage them more than it is necessary. The fastest one and the winner was Nikolay Gryazin from Russia, with Latvian license, in 2:50.026 min. Only 0.05 second behind was the six-time winner Jan Kopecký. And another youngster Fabian Kreim took the third place and beat the likes of Alexey Lukyanuk (RUS) and Dani Sordo (ESP).

Alexey Lukyanuk (RUS, Ford Fiesta R5, starting no. 1):
"It was OK. We chose softer tyres and I think others chose them too. Nothing extraordinary happened here."

Bruno Magalhães (PRT, Škoda Fabia R5, starting no. 2):
"It was good. After shakedown we made some changes in car set-up, which lead to a better feeling and car fit well on the road. Our time is not that good, but after further changes it's going to better. Rally starts tonight."

Norbert Herczig (HUN, Škoda Fabia R5, starting no. 3):
"That was a good warm up. I made a small mistake, but otherwise everything is fine."

Fabian Kreim (DEU, Škoda Fabia R5, starting no. 7):
"I'm satisfied. I feel good in the car. I'm still on a good pace from the Deutschland rally and I'm looking forward to the rally."

Nikolay Gryazin (LVA, Škoda Fabia R5, starting no. 9):
"Time is good, but I didn't like this section. The second go went better and we're happy. It's a good start."

Chris Ingram (GBR, Škoda Fabia R5, starting no. 11):
"It was OK, but we went too fast into a narrow bend. It's too early to say more."

Jan Kopecký (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, starting no. 4):
"It's too hot. We had to use softer tyres because it might be raining and we might be short of them for later. It's a compromise, our result here is not the best, but I'm happy so far."

Daniel Sordo (ESP, Hyundai i20 R5, starting no. 5):
"We were losing a little bit power at the end of the stage. But it's ok. We'll see."

Václav Pech (CZE, Ford Fiesta R5, starting no. 6):
"I've got to admit that it didn't suit me. We all are driving on soft tyres and they are less predictable. I haven't quite dealt with them. But we're going to fight."

Orhan Avcioglu (TUR, Škoda Fabia R5, starting no. 19):
"It went well. After many rides on the shakedown there was some dirt. We did everything we could but I was definitely faster in the tests."

Laurent Pellier (FRA, Peugeot 208 T16, starting no. 10):
"It was OK. But it got a bit slippery and we went off the road."

Vojtěch Štajf (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, starting no. 56):
"Unfortunately, I have some technical problem with the engine. I couldn't see the gear on the display. One kilometre after the start the car's electronics switched into different regime. We need to take a look at it."