The king of barumka Jan Kopecký (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) has won the Zlin rally a total of 10 times, of which he has not found a slayer in the last seven years. This year, a good pack of predators in line are cutting their teeth on his scalp. The biggest spectator attractions include the launch of the two leading drivers who have won the World Championship competition in the past, Hayden Paddon of New Zealand (Hyundai i20 N Rally2) and Mads Ostberg of Norway (Citroën C3 Rally2). The 36-year-old from Far Oceania is almost certain to be a European champion and will appear in the Czech Republic for the first time ever. Also at the start will be the last three European champions Efrén Llarena from Spain, Alexei Lukjaňuk (both Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) in the colours of his new homeland of Cyprus and the returnee to the competitive track Chris Ingram from Great Britain (VW Polo GTi R5).

The winner of two shotoline rallies within me, Martinš Sesks from Latvia, mathieu Franceschi from France, Mikko Heikkilä from Finland, Simon Wagner from Austria (all Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) and Andrea Mabellini from Italy (Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo), will also be at the start of the European top. The competition’s dark horse may be Joshua McErlean of Ireland (Hyundai i20 N Rally2), with Simone Tempestini of Romania or Miklós Csomós of Hungary also riding high. Filip Mareš (all Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo), who is ranked eighth on the all-time list, starts regularly from the Czech top. Three starts were made in Europe this year by Erik Cais (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2), who focuses his starts on the WRC2 World Championship competitions, where he drove excellent results in Monte Carlo and Sardinia. Alongside Kopecky, dominik Stříteský (Skoda Fabia R5), winner of the recent Bohemia rally and Adam Březík, won the premier ship with the Skoda Fabia Rally2 Evo. Next with the ERC1 priority will be martin Vlček (Hyundai i20 R5).

Of the total enrollment, 70 crews will travel in the international field, of which 41 are WITH ERC priority, with ERC1 priority 24 riders, ERC 3 two riders and ERC4 priority 15 riders (of which 11 are juniors). A total of 34 rally2/R5 cars can be found on the list of entries. Six women behind the wheel will also be a highlight of the starting line-up. The well-known Adrienn Vogel of Hungary (Peugeot 208 Rally4), Ekaterina Statieva of Bulgaria, Cristiana Oprea of Romania (both Opel Corsa Rally4), but also Rachele Somaschini of Italy (Citroen C3 Rally2), Aoife Raftery of Ireland (Peugeot 208 Rally4) and Czech racing driver Eliška Slavíková (Škoda Fabia) will perform the equestrian art on Czech tracks. The hockey world champion and former NHL successful defender Filip Kuba (Peugeot 208 Rally4) is also sure to attract the attention of the media and spectators.

JK