Cais has either led or run in the top two for the last three editions of Barum Czech Rally Zlín, agonisingly crashing out on the final stage in 2021 with victory in sight.
But he isn’t convinced another podium push will be possible when he lines up for action from 16 - 18 August aboard his Michelin-equipped Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
“It’s hard to say this year,” the Órsak Rally Sport driver said. “There are stages I don’t know that well and also I didn’t do that much rallies or tests this year so it will be probably the hardest Barum, so let’s see.”
Cais, who went to school in Zlín, the rally’s host city (pictured below), would relish a rain-hit event.
“It’s always really good to compete there but let’s wish for the rain,” said the former downhill mountain bike racer. “Barum is always really nice in the rain and if it’s your home rally you know the secrets. The biggest rain possible is what I need. I’m really looking forward to that and hopefully it will happen.”
The 25-year-old starts Barum Czech Rally Zlín keen to hit back from a frustrating finish to Raly di Roma Capitale last month when he lost out on a points-paying placing with an off on the Power Stage alongside co-driver Igor Bacigál.
“Let’s say it was a crew failure, then late braking and impossible to brake until the hairpin so we hit the barrier and broke the right-rear arm,” Cais said. “It was not a good rally for us. But I didn’t want to give up after all the things that have been happening on the stages so I told Igor immediately that we will try to fix it and try to reach the finish. We had a really bad time but giving up is not the right way although it was definitely not easy to get back [to the finish].”
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