ADAM BREZIK CLAIMS MAIDEN ERC VICTORY ON HOME SOIL IN ZLIN
ADAM BREZIK TAKES HIS FIRST FIA ERC WIN AT BARUM CZECH RALLY ZLIN AFTER LEADING FROM STAGE FOUR
Adam Brezik secured his maiden FIA European Rally Championship victory on Sunday, winning the 55th Barum Czech Rally Zlin on home soil with co-driver Zdenek Belak.
Driving a Samohyl Skoda Team-entered Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, Brezik controlled the final stages to finish 8.3 seconds ahead of ERC points leader Teemu Suninen. Andrea Mabellini completed the podium in third, giving the new-for-2026 Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally2 its first ERC podium.
BREZIK CONTROLS THE FINAL DAY
Brezik began the second leg with a 9.7-second advantage and quickly increased his lead by winning three consecutive stages, including the demanding Pindula and Semetin tests.
Although Suninen won the repeat of Pindula, Brezik responded immediately on Semetin to regain the top time and carry a 21.2-second advantage into the final three stages. He then completed the Kateřinice Power Stage without surrendering the victory.
“I’m really happy with my performance but I’m really surprised.”
Brezik said his strong result came after a consistent season and a set-up developed by three-time Zlin winner Roman Kresta. He also highlighted his familiarity with the demanding home stages, particularly Pindula.
SUNINEN STRENGTHENS ERC TITLE BID
Teemu Suninen finished second on his Barum Czech Rally Zlin debut, strengthening his ERC championship position.
The Finnish driver fought back against defending ERC champion Miko Marczyk during the final day. Marczyk briefly moved ahead of Suninen on Semetin, but Suninen regained second place on the first Kateřinice run and held the position to the finish.
Andrea Mabellini completed the overall podium after a strong Power Stage performance. His third place also marked the first ERC podium for the new Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally2.
MATULKA AND TEMPESTINI COMPLETE TOP SIX
Jakub Matulka finished fifth, building on his breakthrough ERC podium in Poland, while Simone Tempestini took sixth place and helped Team MRF Tyres mark its 50th start in the European championship.
Filip Mareš dropped to seventh after a damaged right-rear tyre and a high-speed spin caused further time loss. Simon Wagner, Vaclav Pech and Roberto Blach completed the top 10.
Ville Vatanen won the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy and finished 13th overall, while Tom Heindrichs secured back-to-back FIA Junior ERC victories ahead of Timo Schulz.
Erik Cais retired after a reported turbo issue caused a significant delay on SS8. Former ERC champion Jan Kopecky also failed to finish after a damaged brake pipe ended his bid for a record-extending 13th Barum Czech Rally Zlin victory.
FINAL STANDINGS
1. A Březík / Z Bělák CZE Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 1h 57m 13.5s
2. T Suninen / A Haapala FIN Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 +08.3s
3. A Mabellini / V Lenzi ITA Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally2 +15.8s
4. M Marczyk / S Gospodarczyk POL Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 +17.1s
5. J Matulka / D Syty POL Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 +55.9s
6. S Tempestini / F Maior ROU Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 +1m 33.7s
ERC MOVES TO WALES
The 2026 FIA European Rally Championship continues with JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion in West Wales from September 4-6.
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