Event organisers, Barum Zlín Auto Club in association with the Autoklub of the Czech Republic, have revealed an ultra-challenging rotue that’s 65 per cent new compared to 2024 and is approximately 120 kilometres shorter in terms of liaison sections.
Among the exciting changes is the return of the famous Bunč stage, while the passage through the village of Mikulůvka is back on the Kateřinice stage after 30 years.
The Qualifying Stage is also new and measures 7.61 kilometres in length to accommodate the minimum six-kilometre distance requirement in accordance with the 2025 ERC sporting rules.
Miloslav Regner, chairman of the Barum Czech Rally Zlín organising committee, explained: “We are returning to the classic Komárov section with the traditional spectator spot on the village square in Pohořelice. The start is located at the end of Topolná and the finish is behind the village square in Pohořelice. The reason for the new FIA regulation regarding the length of the qualification is so that drivers have a chance to correct any mistakes and are not disadvantaged when determining the starting order by this special stage.”
Following the traditional ceremonial start in front of the Zlín town hall at 16:00 on Friday 15 August, the event gets serious with the spectacular Friday evening super special stage through the streets of Zlín.
Březová (length 12.73 kilometres), Halenkovice (17.67 km) and Bunč (18.11 km) provide the challenge during Saturday morning with the stages repeated in the afternoon following a service halt in Otrokovicze. Halenkovice returns to the layout it used in 2023, while Bunč follows an all-new route.
Sunday’s route features twin visits to Pindula (17.22 km), Podhoran (20.61 km) and Kateřinice either side of a mid-leg service sop in Otrokovice. Kateřinice will from the event-deciding Power Stage when it’s run for a second time from 16:05 local time. The iconic Pindula stage runs in an opposite direction compared to 2024, while Podhoran is the longest stage of the rally.
The finish of round six of the 2025 ERC season is planned in front of the Zlín Town Hall from 17:30.