Spring has been setting its friendly face again in the last few days, which signals the proximity of probably the most spring-like competition taking place in the Czech Republic. Every year, after the end of Rallye Český Krumlov, sunlit photos and shots of cars racing through the backdrop of the flowering meadows of South Bohemia and smiling fans appear, and we all believe that it will be the same this year. All the conditions are in place, the weather forecast is optimistic so far and the number of registered crews is increasing. The competition will take place on 17 and 18 May, but we will find out who all will be at the start on the evening of 6 May – that is the deadline for entries.
However, it is already clear that we will meet, for example, the eight-time winner of the competition Jan Kopecký and his younger rivals Erik Cais, Dominik Stříteský or Adam Březík, who this year are mostly piloting the same equipment as Jan Kopecký – Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. But of course, many competitors with weaker cars will also take the start, and the popular spice of the competition is usually the competition of historic cars, where, for example, the newly built Škoda Favorit car will be presented by the pilot Vladimír Berger. But the eyes of local fans will be even more strongly fixed on another former Škoda driver, Jindřich Štolf, who will want to fight for the top positions in the colours of the organising team ČK motorsport with his powerful Ford Escort RS1600.
“We are looking forward to seeing all the competitors, as well as the fans,” says the main organiser Pavel Kacerovský, who describes what awaits the participants on the third weekend in May. There will be the centre of the competition, where the three special stages will take place and before them also the Friday shakedown. But of course, we will be racing mainly on the so-called classic stages, as the crews will have almost 170 km to cover to measure their time. I think that everyone has something to look forward to, we have also prepared an experience for the competing drivers in the form of a drive through the historic centre of Český Krumlov. There will be a passage control waiting for them, and the competitors will be among the first to drive over the newly reconstructed Lazebnický Bridge directly under the castle.”
The 51st Rallye Český Krumlov is again this year included in the national championship of contemporary and historic competition cars, and again in the international series of the FIA European Rally Trophy, which last year was dominated by our René Dohnal, who will also be at the start. Once again, the cross-border Regional Rally Cup for the pairs that already competed in the Austrian Jännerrally in January will be evaluated at the finish line. The popular unmetered Legends Show Rally will complete the varied weekend, which will once again be attended by members of the Slowly Sideways club with very attractive cars, and the entry of Italian drivers with interesting machinery is also promised. Information about the competition is gradually being published on the official website www.rallyekrumlov.cz.
Karel Špaček, media team
Press release No. 1