Rally Zlín will not take place! It was my most difficult decision, admitted Barumka’s boss

In the end, the main reason was not a lack of funds, when his team, thanks to the recent public collection, finally managed to secure the necessary 25 million crowns, but rather concerns about coronavirus and measures related to it.

“In the event of the cancellation of the race at the last minute or during the race, no one would guarantee us any significant damage. That is why, after very long deliberations, we decided not to go to Barumka this year, “repeated Regner.

The city management wanted to complete the race at the end of the holidays, which promised it, among other things, to start the economy.

“It would be a big support for tourism, the economy would get a much needed injection. Because we are aware that Barumka and the Film Festival are our most important events, we did our best to organize them. We acted on the day of the press conference, “confirmed the disappointed mayor of Zlín, Jiří Korec.

Even the general partner of the Barum Continental race did not turn his back on the organizers. On the contrary, in recent days it has increased its support.

“The time is not easy, we in the company also had to cut. After the last call and negotiations, we found additional funding last week. In any case, despite the postponement, the contract with the Barum Rally is postponed to next year. We are very much looking forward to the 50th anniversary, “admitted Libor Láznička, director of the Otrokovice tire manufacturer Continental Barum, at a press conference.

Preparations went on until the last moment. As the coronavirus measures progressed and evolved, there were ongoing changes.

“Originally, the race was supposed to be unique, we had an approved route of three hundred kilometers. After the intervention of coronavirus, we had to cut, make restrictions. In the game, the track was 202 kilometers long, when we cut one section on Saturday and Sunday. But as I said, making Barumka at such a risk or even without spectators would rather postpone it at all and everything, “said the director of the most prestigious rally competition in the country.

Even in a year, it should be run again as part of the European Championship.

“He, too, has been waiting for our decision until the last minute. We tried to agree with the promoter on a fee reduction, but unsuccessfully, he only offered deferred payments. In any case, we have agreed that Barumka will be competing as the ME series next year as well, ”Regner reassures fans.

And what damage or costs does Barumka have with the transfer of the plant in a year?

“At the moment, we have invested some two and a half million crowns. But if we continued, we would now have payments totaling around ten million. Therefore, the decision came only now, on the verge of additional costs. In any case, I believe that in a year we will be as ready as possible and it will be Barumka worthy of the jubilee 50th year, “added Miloslav Regner.

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