Motorsport: Creighton seeking success on first taste of Czech Rally Zlin

William Creighton/Liam Regan (Citroen C3 Rally2) will tackle this weekend's Barum Czech Rally Zlin, a round of the FIA European Rally Championship. Pic: @World / Red Bull Content Pool .

Reigning British Rally Champion William Creighton will be on uncharted territory on this weekend's Barum Czech Rally Zlín, round five of the European Rally Championship. 

The Moira driver onboard a Citroen C3 Rally2 is seeded at number seven in what is a formidable top 10 led by series leader Finland's Teemu Suninen (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2).

Suninen has raced into a 23-point lead in the championship that following this fifth round in the Czech Republic, will conclude with Rali Ceredigion in Wales and the Rally Five Cities North of Portugal. Having annexed 24 points to date, Creighton's transition from the BRC to the ERC is a major step up in pace while he also has to get accustomed to the vagaries of the various European territories.

Czech Rally Zlin, that is based some 300 kilometres south of Prague, is one of the most iconic and demanding events on the FIA European Rally Championship calendar. 

“This is my first time experiencing Barum (Czech Rally Zlin), which is such an iconic event in the ERC calendar that I have followed for years, so I’m really looking forward to finally competing there. 

"The last few tarmac events have consisted of mostly smooth and clean roads, but Barum will bring one of the most challenging events of the year with the bumpy and dirty roads."

From a championship perspective, Creighton's performances in Spain and the last round in Poland have been the most productive, garnering a respective thirteen and nine championship points.

Aside from trying to break into the top six, he will have a strong local contingent, all with vast experience of the rally, snapping at his heels. 

There's still no mention of the switch to a Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 car, for now, he will steer a Citroen C3 Rally2 as he continues to challenge for a top ERC result. 

Although he has shown good pace in events so far, he has yet to find the consistency required to stay at the cutting edge. His assessment of the event gives hope for a good result. 

"It’s (the terrain) a little bit more like what we have at home (in Ireland) so hopefully that can help us in some areas. We’ve been gaining experience of new rallies throughout the year and with each event we continue to learn more about the Citroen C3. This is another completely new challenge for us, so the aim will be to keep learning and building throughout the weekend."

On his plan, he added: “I know the local Czech drivers will bring a very high level of competition to the rally. They know these stages extremely well and will be pushing hard for the home fans. We’ll be looking to work closely with Stellantis, Michelin and TRT to find the best set-up and tyre package for the conditions and hopefully put together a strong event and display good pace over the weekend.” 

Creighton's task of securing a top finish is difficult with the likes of Suninen, Polish stars Miko Marczyk and Jakub Matulka, Italian Andrea Mabellini and Swede Isak Reiersen - all in Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 cars with the exception of Mabellini, who will pilot a Lancia Ypsilon Rally2, all lining up ahead of him. 

But the quality extends far beyond including local ace Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, who took his twelfth Barum win last year.

Meanwhile, there's a strong Irish contingent in the ERC3 category where Tipperary's Casey J Coleman tries to close the 11-point deficit to Finland's Ville Vatanen, the son of former World Rally Champion Ari. 

Coleman won the opening round in Spain but has been outscored by the Finn on the other rounds, he's only seven points behind Vatanen in the Ford Fiesta Rally Trophy category.

Ulster drivers Kalum Graffin, Craig Rahill and Cian Caldwell, also in Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars, add to the Irish challenge. Billy Coleman award winner Rahill has shown a great turn of speed. Donegal's Kyle McBride (Peugeot 208 Rally4) competes in the ERC4 section. 

There is one stage tonight (Friday) six tomorrow (Saturday) and a further six on Sunday including the final Power Stage.