Determined Valousek ready for Zlin IRC return

Pavel Valoušek is determined that his lack of recent competition experience won’t hold him back when he makes his annual appearance in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge on Barum Czech Rally Zlín this week.

Valoušek is only contesting a partial programme of Czech championship rounds this year in his Peugeot Delimax Total Czech National Team 207 Super 2000. Although he finished on the podium in Zlín in 2010, a huge accident forced his retirement from the event last year.

“It is difficult because we are not racing too much this year to wait for the new [R5] regulations,” said Valoušek. “It means our main target is to be as quick as possible and try to improve our car. We had a small test before this rally, we received some new parts and we hope to show our speed.”

Valoušek says his high-speed accident in 2011 is “out of his head” but added that he will be cautious in the event of rain. “I expect rain will come today, during the night and maybe for the superspecial so it will be difficult,” he said. “Everything will be a question of feeling and trying to catch the rhythm from the first moment. Then we will be able to drive fast.”