Barum Czech Rally Zlín 

Flash info after Regrouping 1

25. 8. 2018 - Jiří Lečbych, Karolína Lečbychová

We interviewed the drivers at the first Regrouping of Leg 1 in the centre of Zlín. They already passed the first loop on stages Březová, Semetín and Rajnochovice. Most of the drivers summarized the rally as being extremely difficult because of the weather conditions.

Nikolay Gryazin (LVA, Škoda Fabia R5, Start. No. 9):
"It's OK. We changed the setup. We have a good time, we don't need to push it. It's not that big of an advantage to go first."

Jan Kopecký (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, Start. No. 4):
"The road was more slippery than we expected. On SS3 we had a puncture and lost a lot of time. We'll try to push more. We also have some issues with GPS, it makes noise and I can't concentrate."

Alexey Lukyanuk (RUS, Ford Fiesta R5, Start. No. 1):
"It's big surprise to be first. We are still being careful. Some guys made mistakes. The conditions are difficult. We should not take any risks."

Daniel Sordo (ESP, Hyundai i20 R5, Start. No. 5):
"The stages in current conditions are even more difficult but we enjoyed it."

Miroslav Jakeš (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, Start. No. 27):
"Just before the end of the first stage we had a puncture. Our new car is not ideal for this weather. But we'll keep working hard."

Chris Ingram (GBR, Škoda Fabia R5, Start. No. 11):
"I went off the road on the first stage just after the jump. It took us a while to get back on. Then I was careful on the second one. I have never driven in these conditions. It's a big test for me."

Jaromír Tarabus (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, Start. No. 21):
"We're trying not take any risks because the roads are slippery and mud is everywhere. We had to deal with our choice of tyres. But we're going on!"

Orhan Avcioglu (TUR, Škoda Fabia R5, Start. No. 19):
"The last stage was absolutely crazy. Very, very slippery. Semetín was very difficult for us. Lot of dirt is being pulled on the road from the front-runners. It's hard to find the right line. It's our first time, we're trying to keep it on the road."

Filip Mareš (CZE, Škoda Fabia R5, Start. No. 18):
"I'm exceeding my expectations. Our position makes me very happy. But my driving still needs improvement. It's only my second time on a wet surface. I think I can get faster. There's lot of unnecessary small mistakes.

Rhys Yates (GBR, Škoda Fabia R5, Start. No. 16):
"These stages are really tough and slippery."

Bruno Magalhães (PRT, Škoda Fabia R5, Start. No. 2):
"Even in dry conditions it's difficult and it's slippery and muddy. It's getting worse and worse. I'll try to improve the set-up and be faster."

Fabian Kreim (DEU, Škoda Fabia R5, Start. No. 7):
"It's very difficult. I wasn't satisfied with the results until now. Some parts that are without mud are nice."

Martin Vlček (CZE, Ford Fiesta R5, Start. No. 25):
"It's very difficult. Just look at all the cars parked by the roads. For a while we were losing power but we don't know what's causing it. Softer tyres were definitely better.

Jan Černý (CZE, Ford Fiesta R5, Start. No. 12):
"Yesterday's accidents is still in my head and slows me down. We're going to fight. We chose softer tyres and that makes driving difficult."

Laurent Pellier (FRA, Peugeot 208 T16, Start. No. 10):
"It was very very slippery. It's hard to find the right grip. It's my first time in these conditions. We did some good times. We lost like 10 seconds on the first stage. We'll see."

Paulo Nobre (BRA, Škoda Fabia R5, Start. No. 14):
"We're learning how to race on a very slipper tarmac."

Dávid Botka (HUN, Škoda Fabia R5, Start. No. 22):
"The first stage was very slippery, a lot of mud. It's very hard. We're try to change the setup."

Simone Tempestini (ROU, Fiat 124 Abarth RGT, Start. No. 35):
"On the previous stage, there was a Škoda car on the side of the road, we went a bit wider and damaged the front right side. It looks worst than it is."

Simon Wagner (AUT, Peugeot 208 R2, Start. No. 42):
"The stages are difficult, sometime it's like being on a black ice."

Tom Kristensson (SWE, Opel Adam R2, Start. No. 41):
"Actually, it is as hard as I imagined. Some parts are clean but the parts that look slippery are far worst. We really have to clever and try to go clean on every stage."

Catie Munnings (GBR, Peugeot 208 R2, Start. No. 54):
"I had a spin this morning. It's very slippery and very wet. We tried to get back the confidence for the two stages. We're not pushing for anything here. It's my first rally on a wet tarmac. I just want to made to the finish."