Tue September 4, 2012

 Strong show by local Honda drivers The Barum Czech Rally Zlin, the 9th round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, lived up to its reputation this weekend as one of the most strenuous rallies on the IRC calendar. And with mixed weather forecast, even before the first special stage on Saturday morning there was ...

 From the Czech Republic to the Lozère The Barum Czech Rally is a very popular event in the Czech Republic and one of the star rallies in the IRC. It was a big challenge for Florian Gonon and the Saintéloc Racing team. The rally held in unstable climatic conditions turned out to be full of traps. However, the duo in t...

Mon September 3, 2012

 Hänninen wins Barum Czech Rally Zlin Juho Hänninen has claimed his maiden victory on Barum Czech Rally Zlín. The former Intercontinental Rally Challenge champion was leading comfortably after 14 stages when organisers stopped the event ahead of the final test following an accident on stage 13. ...

Sun September 2, 2012

 Hänninen tops battle in Zlin Juho Hänninen heads the battle of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge greats on Barum Czech Rally Zlín following a day of high drama on the demanding all-asphalt stages in south-east Czech Republic, four of which were broadcast live on Eurosport and free-to-air Czech TV....

NEWS JUST IN

 CZ SS14 - Premature END @ 11:55 AM - Big crash means end of rally after SS14. Spectators were in a stupid and strictly forbidden area and one got injured, one got killed. We didn't need that, why are always a few misbehaving spoiling it for 99.9%. Final results (after SS14)(subject to last road section and scrutineering): 1st= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, 2h11m28s2;
2nd= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +1m43s1;
3rd= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +1m51s8;
4th= Tarabus/Tlustak, Skoda, +4m11s7;
5th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +4m33s6;
6th= Kruuda/Järveoja, Skoda, +5m03s;
7th= Aigner/Minor, Subaru, +5m34s6;
8th= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, +5m35s8;
9th= Solowow/Baran, Peugeot, +6m18s7;
10th= Wiegand/Gottschalk, Skoda, +7m21s8

 CZ SS13 - Kopecky out! @ 11:29 AM - Barum always ends with surprised. Fight for win is over with Kopecky suffering engine problems in this stage. Kresta & Kostka are only 1.8s apart in battle for 2nd now. Results after SS13:
1st= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, 2h05m20s2;
2nd= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +1m47s2;
3rd= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +1m49s;
4th= Tarabus/Tlustak, Skoda, +4m09s1;
5th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +4m28s7;
6th= Kruuda/Järveoja, Skoda, +4m57s7;
7th= Aigner/Minor, Subaru, +5m25s2;
8th= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, +5m41s;
9th= Solowow/Baran, Peugeot, +6m15s5;
10th= Wiegand/Gottschalk, Skoda, +7m17s9

 CZ SS12 - Fantastic time for Juho @ 10:07 AM - Hänninen 10s faster and having fun. Kresta re-takes 3rd from Kostka. Tarabus elbows past Barrable. Results after SS12:
1st= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, 1h53m46s9;
2nd= Kopecky/Dresler, Skoda, +16s2;
3rd= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +1m31s4;
4th= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +1m40s;
5th= Tarabus/Tlustak, Skoda, +4m05s9;
6th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +4m13s5;
7th= Kruuda/Järveoja, Skoda, +4m39s2;
8th= Aigner/Minor, Subaru, +4m52s7;
9th= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, +5m34s2;
10th= Solowow/Baran, Peugeot, +5m57s2

 CZ SS11 - Rain on slick tyres @ 09:00 AM - This should make for a good live stage (SS12). Hänninen again a moment, 100 metres through a field. Kostka says he is driving, not rallying, but he takes 3rd from Kresta. Results after SS11:
1st= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, 1h40m57s9;
2nd= Kopecky/Dresler, Skoda, +5s4;
3rd= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +1m10s3;
4th= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +1m10s5;
5th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +3m42s1;
6th= Tarabus/Tlustak, Skoda, +3m46s7;
7th= Kruuda/Järveoja, Skoda, +3m59s2;
8th= Aigner/Minor, Subaru, +4m19s3;
9th= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, +5m11s8;
10th= Solowow/Baran, Peugeot, +5m12s9

 CZ SS10 - Day starts with big dramas @ 08:35 AM - Hänninen spins and Kopecky gets close. Mikkelsen cuts a corner too much and gets a double puncture, 5min lost. Pech retires with engine problem. Results after SS10:
1st= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, 1h34m29s2;
2nd= Kopecky/Dresler, Skoda, +5s2;
3rd= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +59s5;
4th= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +1m03s2;
5th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +3m25s;
6th= Tarabus/Tlustak, Skoda, +3m28s9;
7th= Kruuda/Järveoja, Skoda, +3m42s1;
8th= Aigner/Minor, Subaru, +3m57s9;
9th= Solowow/Baran, Peugeot, +4m55s6;
10th= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, +5m06s3

Sat September 1, 2012

 Skoda dominates Barum day1 The Barum Czech Rally Zlín was dominated by ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000s on Day 1. The first three places are occupied by factory drivers of Fabia Super 2000s (1. Hänninen, 2. Kopecký, 3. Mikkelsen). the fourth and fifth places by Tomáš Kostka and Roman Kresta in private Fabia Super 2...

NEWS JUST IN

 CZ leg1 - Dramatic last stage of the day @ 06:02 PM - Despite drying conditions dramatic last stage. Mikkelsen and Wiegand did not really have explanations for their slow times. Flodin had a puncture, Pech had a spin. Results after leg1 (SS9):
1st= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, 1h22m57s1;
2nd= Kopecky/Dresler, Skoda, +11s4;
3rd= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, +29s4;
4th= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +48s1;
5th= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +56s7;
6th= Pech/Uhel, Mini, +1m22s8;
7th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +3m01s9;
8th= Kruuda/Järveoja, Skoda, +3m05s1;
9th= Tarabus/Tlustak, Skoda, +3m26s7;
10th= Aigner/Minor, Subaru, +3m32s7

 CZ SS8 - Top3 within 1s in stage @ 05:40 PM - How can a 12km stage be that tight. Fastest time for Hänninen keeps things exciting. Conditions still foggy but a little drier. Kostka not quite that fast now. Results after SS8:
1st= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, 1h13m06s8;
2nd= Kopecky/Dresler, Skoda, +3s4;
3rd= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, +12s1;
4th= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +30s9;
5th= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +36s7;
6th= Pech/Uhel, Mini, +55s1;
7th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +2m06s7;
8th= Kruuda/Järveoja, Skoda, +2m13s7;
9th= Odlozilik/Turecek, Skoda, +2m37s2;
10th= Flodin/Bergsten, Ford, +2m45s6

 CZ SS7 - Lead changes again @ 02:47 PM - Mikkelsen says he has slightly lost rythm. Wiegand had an off for a minute. The stage is very foggy and slippy. Results after SS7:
1st= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, 1h06m26s8;
2nd= Kopecky/Dresler, Skoda, +2s4;
3rd= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, +11s1;
4th= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +16s;
5th= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +29s9;
6th= Pech/Uhel, Mini, +47s;
7th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +1m48s1;
8th= Kruuda/Järveoja, Skoda, +1m56s3;
9th= Odlozilik/Turecek, Skoda, +2m10s8;
10th= Aigner/Minor, Subaru, +2m20s

 CZ SS6 - Top3 getting closer @ 02:23 PM - Slight advantage for Mikkelsen again. Odlozilik moves into top10. Tarabus has power steering failure. Results after SS6:
1st= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, 56m14s6;
2nd= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, +4s9;
3rd= Kopecky/Dresler, Skoda, +12s7;
4th= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +18s9;
5th= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +37s1;
6th= Pech/Uhel, Mini, +49s3;
7th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +1m02s6;
8th= Kruuda/Järveoja, Skoda, +1m40s3;
9th= Odlozilik/Turecek, Skoda, +1m52s5;
10th= Wiegand/Gottschalk, Skoda, +1m54s5

 CZ SS5 - Unusual at the front @ 01:25 PM - Hänninen narrows gap again. But on the stage Kopecky, Kostka & Pech are faster still. Results after SS5:
1st= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, 49m22s8;
2nd= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, +1s4;
3rd= Kopecky/Dresler, Skoda, +10s4;
4th= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +14s1;
5th= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +27s5;
6th= Pech/Uhel, Mini, +43s6;
7th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +45s5;
8th= Kruuda/Järveoja, Skoda, +1m24s9;
9th= Tarabus/Trunkat, Skoda, +1m32s9;
10th= Wiegand/Gottschalk, Skoda, +1m34s6

 CZ SS4 - Mikkelsen new leader @ 12:53 AM - Conditions more wet. This time Hänninen on the wrong tyres! Mikkelsen takes lead. Again unbelievable time by racing driver Kostka, on wrong tyres with a new car to him! Flodin with engine problems. Results after SS4:
1st= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, 39m11s2;
2nd= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, +5s7;
3rd= Kopecky/Dresler, Skoda, +19s6;
4th= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +20s4;
5th= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +31s4;
6th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +39s6;
7th= Pech/Uhel, Mini, +48s;
8th= Tarabus/Trunkat, Skoda, +1m03s;
9th= Kruuda/Järveoja, Skoda, +1m09s5;
10th= Orsak/Smeidler, Mitsubishi, +1m14s5

 CZ SS3 - Pech & Barrable drop places @ 10:21 AM - Mikkelsen passes Pech and Kostka with fastest time, Hänninen still in good lead. Results after SS3:
1st= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, 28m16s1;
2nd= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, +13s3;
3rd= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +23s5;
4th= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +29s8;
5th= Kopecky/Dresler, Skoda, +30s1;
6th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +45s2;
7th= Pech/Uhel, Mini, +52s1;
8th= Flodin/Bergsten, Ford, +59s7;
9th= Tarabus/Trunkat, Skoda, +1m00s8;
10th= Orsak/Smeidler, Mitsubishi, +1m08s9

 CZ SS2 - Hänninen on best tyres @ 09:45 AM - Hänninen is only driver on cut slicks on unexpected dry stage. Kostka & Barrable confirm their strong show. Nikara late for gearbox change before stage. Results after SS2:
1st= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, 18m22s3;
2nd= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +7s3;
3rd= Pech/Uhel, Mini, +9s5;
4th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +14s4;
5th= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, +14s6;
6th= Kopecky/Dresler, Skoda, +14s9;
7th= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +17s7;
8th= Orsak/Smeidler, Mitsubishi, +27s3;
9th= Tarabus/Trunkat, Skoda, +38s7;
10th= Kruuda/Järveoja, Skoda, +40s5

Fri August 31, 2012

 IRC Fans for a Czech TV treat Leading Intercontinental Rally Challenge frontrunner Jan Kopecký says fans watching the live television coverage of Barum Czech Rally Zlín this weekend will savour a sporting spectacular....

 Flodin: Like Mike Tyson Patrik Flodin insists his ‘Mike Tyson moment’ won’t slow his pace when he competes in front of live television cameras on round nine of the all-action Intercontinental Rally Challenge this week....

 Victory vital for Subaru's Toshi Arai Navigator Dale Moscatt says it’s time his and driver Toshi Arai’s chase of a second consecutive IRC Production Cup title stepped up a gear....

 Q&A Robert Barrable Three questions to Robert Barrable Age: 24 Lives: County Dublin, Ireland Irish ace on his hopes for Zlín and his event preparations...

 Gonon to go back to school in Zlin Florian Gonon plans to go back to school when he returns to Intercontinental Rally Challenge action in Czech Republic from 31 August-2 September....

NEWS JUST IN

 CZ SS1 - Pech saves rally pride @ 10:16 PM - Vaclav Pech wins Zlin town centre spectacle in a Mini 1.6T. He saves the pride for us rally fans as he steals the stage win from Zlin born touring car ace Tomas Kostka! Very surprising outcome of a cobble stone stage that is so not circuit racing! Results after SS1:
1st= Pech/Uhel, Mini, 7m38s5;
2nd= Kostka/Houst, Skoda, +1s5;
3rd= Kopecky/Dresler, Skoda, +4s5;
4th= Barrable/Loudon, Skoda, +6s2;
5th= Orsak/Smeidler, Mitsubishi, +6s7;
6th= Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda, +7s9;
7th= Kresta/Gross, Skoda, +8s4;
8th= Mikkelsen/Floene, Skoda, +15s9;
9th= Odlocilik/Turecek, Skoda, +16s4;
10th= Aigner/Minor, Subaru, +17s8

Wed August 29, 2012

 Honda & Martin Kangur at Barum Rally After a long summer break, the Intercontinental Rally Challenge heads to the lightning-quick asphalt roads of the Barum Czech Rally Zlin in the Czech Republic this week. Rallying is hugely popular in the region, with more than 200.000 spectators expected for the two day event....

 Florian Gonon makes his Barum debut After learning the ropes in the first half of the season Florian Gonon is tackling the Barum Czech Zlin Rally with new objectives. This event is part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), and it has attracted a high-quality field. This will give Florian a chance to measu...

Mon August 27, 2012

 Barum is season's climax for Skoda › The start list includes ŠKODA Motorsport’ both factory crews --- › The Zlín event is part of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), the European Championship (ERC) and the Czech Championship (MMČR) --- › ŠKODA and its drivers have a chance to get very near winning t...

 Barum Rally full Preview PREVIEW: 2012 Intercontinental Rally Challenge, round nine of 13 Barum Czech Rally Zlín, 31 August-2 September   Barum Czech Rally Zlin preview: IRC greats go head-to-head...

 Live TV for Barum Rally Zlin One of the fastest rounds of the all-action Intercontinental Rally Challenge, Barum Czech Rally Zlín, will benefit from four hours of live television coverage on Eurosport at primetime slots during the last weekend of the summer holidays....