Barum Czech Rally Zlín 

Bugatti's tenth anniversary is coming

17. 8. 2022 - Roman ORDELT

Beautiful buggies and historic vehicles have already firmly established themselves in the Friday programme of the Barum Czech Rally Zlín. Beautiful racing cars from the past years will appear on the track of the Super Special Stage in the centre of the regional city of Zlín for the tenth time! This traditional event named GRAND PRIX BUGATTI ZLÍN organized by the team of Ladislav Samohýl, inseparably belongs to Barum rally and guarantees a great spectacle also during the jubilee edition. From Friday afternoon, motor sport fans will see beautiful historic racing cars from the 1920s and 1930s, including the popular bugattis, on display in front of the Zlín castle in Svoboda Park. GP Bugatti Zlín is again part of the Grand Prix of historic cars under the patronage of the Autoclub of the Czech Republic, consisting of three businesses.

The city streets of Zlín will once again come alive with the beautiful sound of historic cars from the 1920s and 1930s. Back then, the streets were filled with these beautiful jewels, which were later replaced by the popular race called the Zlín Eight. People will again recall the times when cars were still real cars, when cars of different brands differed significantly, and the driver drove or braked without the power steering or electronics support.

"We are again directing the pre-launch centre to one place, the well-proven area in front of the Zlín castle. Spectators will be satisfied here again, cars will enter the area from 1 pm and fans of historic cars will be able to see the shiny gems. There will also be a vehicle line-up for the start, the start itself and the finish. Compared to last year, we are going in the reverse direction, however, we are getting back to the standard form of the circuit direction. We are collecting as much information as possible about the starting cars, as there will be a commented session featuring Hitradio Zlín, where the host will introduce the cars. The fact that the key part of Barum rally has a ceremonial start as early as 4 pm also plays into our hands. We believe that the spectators will then move from the Zlín Town Hall to the castle to watch our race," said Josef Tlusťák, Secretary of the Grand Prix Bugatti Zlín.

The Bugattis and historic cars will be displayed for the general motor sport fans to admire at the Zlín Castle from 1pm, with the 1st drive scheduled for 5pm and the second one an hour later. Both drives are part of the regularity competition. At 5:30 p.m. there will be an exhibition ride of historic vehicles. "We are trying to ensure maximum safety. We are a starting event of the city circuit, so we are putting a lot of emphasis on safety and organizational flow not to interfere the scheduled time afterwards. The capacity of the circuit is twenty-five cars and this year we had to turn down a few serious candidates to start," Tlusťák explained.

The organisers are registering 30 entries in the main Bugatti GP Zlín race, for example Bugatti cars of various types, including 13, 35 NE and 37. There are also cars MG TA, MG VA Special compressor, Aston Martin 16/98, Jaguar SS 100, Walter 6B sport, Hillmann special, Morries 8E sport, Sénéchal SS, and also Skoda Popular or Aero 662 sport.

"The Bugatti racing cars attract the most attention every year. Fans will see about four to five of these cars this year. A couple of stable participants have already excused themselves because they have their cars dismantled or are modifying them. There will be a number of MG cars in sports trim, which last year performed the finest show. The rarity of the starting field will be a beautiful car from the pre-war period, the Walter 6B sport," said Secretary Tlusťák. As every year, prominent personalities such as the renowned Czech cardiac surgeon and respected doctor Jan Pirk will appear behind the wheel of Bugatti 13 from 1911, which will be starting with the number 1.

Also during the jubilee part of the event, the programme includes a demonstration drive of various historic cars such as Chevrolet Corvette C3, Triumph TR3, BMW 309 Sport, Škoda 1101 sport and others. These vehicles, which do not compete on time, will be circling on the city circuit from 5:30 pm to 6 pm. The awards ceremony will take place in the evening at the Saloon Hotel, where the prize giving will also take place.

Lovers of the history of motor sport should not miss Friday, August 26 in Zlín. They can see the beautiful cars during the afternoon at an exhibition for the public in front of the Zlín Castle and in the adjacent Svoboda Park. There will certainly be a lot to see and the heart will beat not only for the die-hard fans of historic cars!

X. GRAND PRIX BUGATTI ZLÍN 2022
Friday 26th August - timetable
13:00 - 16:30 - exhibition of historic vehicles for the public in front of the castle in Zlín
13:00 - 15:30 - administrative and technical acceptance (Svoboda Park near the Zlín Castle)
17:00 - 17:30 - start of GP Bugatti Zlín, 1st run, start Gahurova street (3 rounds)
17:30 - 18:00 - demonstration r of historic vehicles
18:00 - 18:30 - start of GP Bugatti Zlín, 2nd heat, start Gahurova street (3 rounds)
20:00 - announcement of winners of GP Bugatti Zlín (Hotel Saloon, Zlín)

Find more details at www.bugattigp.cz.

More information available at www.czechrally.com and don't forget to follow Barum rally on the official Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

In Zlín, 17 August 2022

Roman ORDELT