The Barum Rally Zlin, which takes place as round six of the IRC in the Czech Republic next week, has witnessed a record number of 22 Super 2000 cars taking the start. This smashes the previous record for the number of Super 2000 machines to start an IRC event.

As well as the regular Super 2000 runners, additional entries for the all-asphalt event include reigning IRC champion Enrique Garcia Ojeda, who will return at the wheel of his Peugeot 207 S2000 run by Peugeot Spain. All five IRC manufacturers will be represented, including a Volkswagen Polo S2000 entry for Bernd Casier. Roman Kresta makes his S2000 Debut at the wheel of the Tescoma backed Peugeot.

The Super 2000 formula was introduced two years ago by world motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, as a way of controlling costs while providing competitive performance. Since then it has gone from strength to strength, with a number of the world’s leading manufacturers building machines to Super 2000 specification and many more with plans for a Super 2000 car in the pipeline.

Czech driver Pavel Valousek has had his first taste of the Peugeot 207 S2000 that he will drive on his native Barum Rally Zlin at the end of the month. Valousek, who previously competed on the Junior World Rally Championship, was awarded the drive as part of the BFGoodrich Drivers’ Team: a scheme that gives drivers the chance to contest their home round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Valousek tested the BFGoodrich car, which was most recently used by Patrick Snijers on the Ypres Rally, neat Namur in Belgium – along with regular Kronos drivers Freddy Loix and Nicolas Vouilloz: the winner of the last IRC round in Madeira. “It was a great opportunity to get behind the wheel of a winning car,” said Valousek, who was sampling Super 2000 machinery for the first time. “I’m still very surprised and grateful to get this chance. Now it’s down to me to get the most out of it.”

One of the latest Super 2000 cars is the new Skoda Fabia S2000, which will be seen as course car on the Barum Rally Zlin, driven by IRC star Jan Kopecky. The rally gets underway with a ceremonial start and superspecial stage next Friday night, before two full days of all asphalt rally action on Saturday and Sunday.