Fiesta title time for Zlín ERC3 winner Kohn

The 21-year-old from Prague moved top of the ERC3 leaderboard on stage seven and gradually built his advantage to take a comfortable victory over Kerem Kazaz aboard his Pirelli-equipped Ford Fiesta Rally3.

“It was really hard conditions this morning so we just took the option to cruise through the stages and don’t do any silly mistakes,” said Kohn. “I really want to thank everyone who got me here and I’m so happy to be here, honestly. We got good points, it was a good race and now I feel very great.”

Kohn, who is co-driven by Briton Tom Woodburn, only needed to finish Barum Czech Rally Zlín to clinch the ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy and the WRC Central European Rally prize drive in October with support from Pirelli, Gulf Race Fuels, M-Sport Poland and WRC Promoter.

“This Trophy has been really nice for us and thank you for everyone who supported it because it really helps with the budget,” Kohn said. “Now I can look forward to the Central European Rally.”

Runner-up Kazaz, another Barum Czech Rally Zlín rookie, took back-to-back stage wins this morning but lost time on SS12 with an intercom issue.

“I was going through the stages and I accumulated a lot of experience here that will help us in the future,” the 19-year-old from Turkey said. “We lost a lot of time without the intercom but it was good to finish the rally with more experience.”

Martin Ravenščak returned to the ERC3 podium for the first time since the season-opening V-Híd Rally Hungary in April with third place alongside his co-driving sister Dora Ravenščak.

“I didn’t want to lose my third place today and when it was very muddy in Pindula [this morning] I drove like an old lady because the conditions were very difficult,” the Croatian said.

Having completed leg one in fifth place and low on confidence following his Rally di Roma Capitale crash last month, Igor Widłak demoted newcomer Robert Kolčák for fourth on SS12.

“I talked with my trainer last night and I must accept this situation that it’s not my rally and sometimes it happens,” Pole Widłak explained. “This morning the conditions were hard but my feeling is better, I don’t feel pressure and I am accepting that after my hard crash I can’t do more on this rally only to have fun.”

Slovakia’s Kolčák, who hadn’t competed in a Rally3 car prior to Barum Czech Rally Zlín, said: “We don’t try to compete today, we just have fun, enjoy the day and try to finish.”

After crashing out on SS8, early leader Hubert Kowalczyk was a non-starter on leg two. Aleksandar Tomov, who ran as high as fourth in another Renault Clio Rally3, also didn’t return to the action following his retirement on SS7 due to differential failure.

The all-asphalt Rali Ceredigion in Wales hosts the penultimate round of the ERC3 season from 30 August - 1 September.