P Zero hard for the Barum Rally challenge. Pirelli tyres for the top two in the standings, Suninen and Mabellini
The FIA European Rally Championship enters the second half of the season with one of the most demanding and spectacular events on the calendar. The 55th edition of the Barum Czech Rally Zlín takes place from 14 to 16 August as the fifth of seven rounds in the continental championship, with Pirelli heading into the event leading the tyre suppliers’ standings after securing three victories in the first four rallies.
Twenty-three of the 73 crews entered for the ERC round will use Pirelli tyres. They include the leading contenders in the title fight: Teemu Suninen, who heads the standings with 80 points following his victory in Poland in the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, and Andrea Mabellini, second on 57 points in the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale. Marco Bulacia will also line up on Pirelli tyres in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
The Barum Rally features 13 special stages covering a total of 205.79 timed kilometres. The route alternates very fast sections with narrow and twisty stretches, on asphalt ranging from smooth surfaces to uneven and deteriorated sections. It also includes several gravel sections, where significant time gaps were recorded last year. Unlike previous editions, this year the route is completely dry on the eve of the rally, with high temperatures forecast for the weekend.
The rally will begin on Friday with qualifying and the ceremonial start, followed by the traditional night-time super special stage through the centre of Zlín. Saturday will feature two passes over the Pohořelice, Troják and Bunč stages, while Sunday will take in Pindula, Semetín and Kateřinice, whose second pass will host the final Power Stage.
“The Barum is one of the most complete and demanding asphalt rallies in the championship,” commented Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli Rally Activity Manager. “High speeds, constant changes of pace, an often uneven surface and the presence of several gravel sections require tyres capable of delivering precision, durability and grip in very different conditions. We will make the hard and soft options from the P Zero range available to our crews. Given the current conditions, with dry roads and high temperatures, the hard is the reference compound, while the soft completes the allocation. We arrive in Zlín leading the tyre suppliers’ standings and with Suninen and Mabellini occupying the top two places in the drivers’ standings: the objective is to continue what has so far been a very positive season.”
The Barum Czech Rally Zlín will also host the final round of the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy, a competition supplied exclusively by Pirelli and dedicated to developing young drivers. P Zero tyres in hard and soft compounds will also be available for the Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars.