Sports Racing Technologies driver Gryazin continued his strong pace from last month’s Rally di Roma Capitale through the 4.71 kilometre Komárov test, despite easing off during his Qualifying Stage run compared to his earlier Free Practice 2 time.
His Qualifying Stage victory is all the more impressive given second placed ŠKODA Motorsport driver Jan Kopecký has won the last three consecutive Barum Czech Rally Zlín events since 2015.
ERC Junior U28s impressed all around against their more experienced counterparts, as points leader Fabian Kreim went third quickest in his ŠKODA AUTO Deutschland Fabia. Kreim was only 0.157s behind stage winner Gryazin and 0.192s faster than fourth placed ERC championship leader Alexey Lukyanuk.
Russian Performance Motorsport’s Lukyanuk was one of a number of drivers compromised by running soft tyres in anticipation of rain forecasted for Friday night’s opening stage.
Factory Hyundai WRC driver Dani Sordo went fifth quickest through the Qualifying Stage, 1.150s off Gryazin’s pace aboard his i20 R5. Norbert Herczig was one second further behind Sordo in sixth place.
The remaining ERC regulars found themselves swamped by local experts. Chris Ingram went ninth fastest, 2.683s behind Gryazin in a similar Toksport WRT-prepared Fabia, behind Czech national pairing Miroslav Jakeš and Roman Odložilík in seventh and eighth.
EuroOil – Invelt Team’s Václav Pech completed the top 10 in his Ford Fiesta R5.
Bruno Magalhães will be the last driver to choose during Friday afternoon’s road order selection, going 15th fastest through the Qualifying Stage. He was unhappy with his set-up, the floor of his Fabia skidding along the ground and causing him to lose grip.
ERC Junior U28 competitor Rhys Yates finished only one place ahead of Magalhães, switching to a Kresta Racing-prepared Fabia for this event.
Catie Munnings did not set a Qualifying Stage time due to feeling unwell. The ERC Junior Under 27 and ERC Ladies’ Trophy regular elected not to leave service this morning, focussing on recovering in time for Friday night’s first stage instead.
Source: ERC