Wallenwein first of the big guns to start in Zlín

Mark Wallenwein will be the first of the leading Super 2000 runners to start Barum Czech Rally Zlín tonight.

The ŠKODA Auto Deutschland driver, making his second start in this year’s Intercontinental Rally Challenge, will be the 85th driver to tackle SSS Zlín, a three-lap blast around the city’s central area.

Crews will tackle the event in reverse order. Wallenwein will take to the stage at 22:36hrs local time with number one seed Bryan Bouffier, in a Peugeot France 207 S2000 making his bid for glory at 23:03hrs.

“All the guys will be very fast and many of them have done the rally before so I have no expectations,” said the 24-year-old Wallenwein. “It will only be my second time in this car and I want to improve my speed for the next event in Hungary, which takes place two weeks later. But I feel quite good about the rally – I am ready.”

Wallenwein’s team-mate, Matthias Kahle will leave the start line at 22:43hrs, while defending IRC champion Juho Hänninen will begin the stage at 23:02hrs. Last year’s winner Freddy Loix will start one minute before at 23:01hrs.

Of the 122 entries received 113 crews will start the rally following a handful of late withdrawals. Despite his dramatic crash in shakedown this morning, Luca Betti will start after his mechanics worked tirelessly to repair his badly damaged Peugeot 207.