Barum Czech Rally Zlín 

Barum rally has prepared surprises thanks to the forest owners' generosity

25. 7. 2024 - Roman Ordelt

While last year the organisers of BARUM CZECH RALLY ZLÍN, led by the head of the organising committee Miloslav Regner, brought back two legendary sections to the itinerary of the competition after almost thirty years, this year they are coming up with a new form of the Bunč special stage. Its character and difficulty will be one of the gems of rally sport in the Czech Republic. The royal stage of this year's fifty-third edition of Barum rally with its length of more than 18 kilometres will be the longest measured stage.

Last year's edition of the Zlín rally reported two comebacks to the iconic sections after nearly thirty years. The organisers managed to revive the Kateřinice stage, which was one of the key locations of the Barum rally in the 1990s. The rebirth of this legendary special stage came exactly after 29 years. The rugged track in the dense Wallachian forests of the Vsetín region was once again alive with the roar of the racing cars on the narrow asphalt roads in the local basins. The section on the iconic Pindula was also restored, thanks to the village of Želechovice nad Dřevnicí, in the direction to the local part of Vavrušky. The last time it was run was in 1994. "We managed to find common ground with the municipality of Želechovice nad Dřevnicí and Bata forests and the result of our efforts was the restoration of parts of these legendary sections. This year, the Barum Czech Rally Zlín will be held again at these locations and we are very grateful for this possibility and thank both Bata forests and the municipality of Želechovice nad Dřevnicí," said Miloslav Regner, chairman of the organizing committee. It was the successful negotiations with the company Lesy a statky Tomáše Bati, spol. s r.o. that gave the green light for the return of the racing cars to this region of Wallachia.

For this year's edition, another highlight has been prepared in the Chřiby uplands in the Kroměříž region. The dreaded Bunč stage has never been run in its current form and its difficulty and character will test the readiness of the competing crews and their cars. "A big thanks to the Forests of the Czech Republic and the Archbishop's Forests, especially Mr. Mons. Josef Nuzík, Archbishop of Olomouc and Metropolitan of Moravia. At the same time, we urge fans to be respectful of the environment, not to destroy vegetation and behave responsibly. At the same time, please also be respectful to the local citizens" said Ing. Jan Regner, Clerk of the Course of Barum Czech Rally Zlín.

Organisers are appealing to fans not to attempt to drive these sections when scouting the route prior to the event. As well as the significant risk of a hefty fine, these are mostly private roads that are under a motor vehicle ban or barrier. In addition, any presence of vehicles in these areas complicates complex permit negotiations for future editions. Further details on the stages and the tracks, including maps and descriptions of spectator areas, can be found in the nearly 200-page official competition programme, which will be available at selected outlets from 6 August.

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

Zlín, 18th July 2024

Roman ORDELT
Press Relations Officer
Barum Czech Rally Zlín