Barum Czech Rally Zlín 

Bugatti cars roaring through Zlín

2. 8. 2019 - Roman Ordelt

BUGATTI GRAND PRIX, a show featuring beautiful historic vehicles, is now an integral part of the Barum Czech Rally Zlín. For the eighth time, historic racing cars from the 1920s and 1930s will roar in the streets of Zlín and mark the early beginnings of motorsport. On Friday afternoon the fans can get slightly nostalgic seeing these beautiful and shiny cars at an exhibition in front of the castle in Svoboda Park. The Bugatti GP will be for the first time part of a four-event championship Grand Prix historic organized by the Autoclub of the Czech Republic. Visitors will surely enjoy seeing several real historical gems thanks to close cooperation with Ladislav Samohýl's organizational team.

The vintage cars from the 1920s and 1930s and their unforgettable sound will get back us in history to those times when they were rushing through the streets of Zlín in the famous race called Zlínská osma. In those times, one can say cars were real cars, and every brand's design was unique, and no one could rely on power steering or electronics. "Every year, we strive to find exceptional vehicles and personalities to sit behind the wheel of these beautiful machines. We can count on Bugatti cars. There will be several faithful copies made here in Zlín and original pieces as well. Fans have something to look forward to, it's going to be a breathtaking spectacle," said Ladislav Samohýl. Mr. Samohýl is an organizer of the event and a great enthusiast and vintage car lover. In the first days after the launch of the entries, the organizers have already registered Bugatti 57C Letourned et Marchand, Bugatti 57 Galibier, Bugatti 49, Bugatti 13, as well as Bentley 4,5L Blower, MG-M Midget, Triumph TR3, MG VA Special, Lagonda 2-Litre Supercharged. But also Sénéchal SS with the leading driver of Grand Prix Karel Kupka, Z4 Roadster (with a similar car Tomas Bata jr. won in 1934 his category at the Zlínská osma), Z18 Sport or Aero Minor Sport.

And again the eighth sequel includes an exhibition ride of older vintage cars of various brands such as Rolls-Royce, Hispano-Suiza, Darracq, Laurin & Klement, Skoda, Aero, and others. These vehicles will be circling the city circuit from 6 pm to 6:20 pm.

This year is the premiere of Grand Prix historic, which is held in cooperation with Autoclub of the Czech Republic and organizers of individual races. The best rider will receive the Challenge Cup of the President of the Autoclub of the Czech Republic, Jan Šťovíček. This year is also the year that the Autoclub of the Czech Republic celebrates the 115th anniversary and the 90th anniversary of its headquarter's building. On this occasion, a bust of the famous competitor Eliška Junková was unveiled in the entrance passage in Opletalova Street.

The competition is open for vehicles manufactured up to 1939, and it is a regularity rally. It is not about being the fastest crew but about time-speed-distance where the crews' task is to reach a specified time for each stage.

Current ranking after two events: 1. Karel Kupka (Sénéchal SS/year of production 1924) 15 points, 2. Jiri Čekan (Aero 50 Roadster/1938) 15, 3. Tomáš Vališ (Aero 750 Sport Coupe/1934) 14, 4. Milan Vaníček (Salmson GS/1926) 12, 5. Alois Švec (MG VA Special/1938) 10, 6. Radek Pilek (Jawa Minor/1939) 10, 7. Vojtěch Masojídek (Bugatti 37A/1928) 8, 8. Karel Klein (Jaguar SS 100/1936) 8, 9. Miloslav Regner (Fiat 509 Torpedo/1925) 6, 10. Robert Kubelka (Z4 Roadster/1934) 6 etc. Note: if the points are equal, the year of manufacture of the vehicle is decisive.

VIII. BUGATTI GRAND PRIX 2019
Friday 16th August - time schedule
2:00pm - 8:00pm - public exhibition of vintage vehicles in front of the castle in Zlín
5:20pm - 5:40pm - departure of the crews - start at Building no. 21
5:45pm - 6:05pm - Bugatti Grand Prix Start - first round (3 laps)
6:05pm - 6:20pm - exhibition ride of vintage vehicles
6:20pm - 6:40pm - Bugatti Grand Prix Start - second round (3 laps)
8:00pm - announcement of results (park Svoboda near Zlín castle)

For more information, visit www.bugattigp.cz.