Barrable Returns to IRC

Robert Barrable winner of the Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman award supported by the Irish Sports Council, in his Skoda Fabia S2000 with co-driver Damien Connolly alongside head to this weekend’s Barum Rally Zlin hoping to build on their success on the Ypres Rally earlier this year. Robert and Damien have not competed in the Skoda Fabia S2000 since a broken spark plug forced their early retirement from Robert’s home event the ALMC Stages rally back in July. Although Robert in an effort to maintain his tarmac practice competed on the recent Stonethrowers rally in his championship winning Citreon C2R2, finishing a credible third overall. The Barum Rally is round seven of the 2011 IRC, based in the industrial city of Zlin in south-east Czech Republic, the event will see Robert and Damien take on a top class field of IRC competitors including no less than 122 crews which includes 29 Super 2000 machines. The rally which has been a counting round of the IRC since 2007 is famous for its tricky stages which are characterised by bumpy and sometimes broken tarmac through narrow woodland areas, the event is not only a test of skill but requires drivers full commitment. “I am looking forward to getting back in the Skoda S2000 after the summer break, the engine and gearbox have been fully rebuilt over the past month and we are sporting a new colour scheme for Skoda’s home event. Barum is a difficult rally and very different from Ypres, a good recce is very important and I am hoping we can adapt to the stages quickly and set some competitive stage times.” commented Robert prior to starting reece for the rally.

The event kicks off on Friday evening with a super special stage through the host city, the tricky stage runs partly on cobble stones providing a real test for competitors particularly if it rains. The rally proper starts on Saturday with a loop of four stages repeated twice, including the longest of the rally covering a competitive distance of 28km, with the crews making three visits to the service park in Otrokovice. The final day’s stages on Sunday will take Robert and his Skoda through a total of six stages, three stages looped twice divided by a service halt with the rally ending early afternoon in the centre of the city. “Tyre choice on the rally will be critical particularly if it rains, we will be trying to make our choice as late as possible to ensure we are on the right tyres for the stage conditions, it would be good to drive well on this Skoda’s home rally” Commented Robert.

Following his outing on Barum Czech Rally Zlin, Robert is hoping to take part in the San Remo IRC in September along with the closing rounds of the 2011 Irish national rally championship. For up to date information and to track Roberts progress on this weekend’s Barum rally log on to www.robertbarrable.com or follow on twitter @RBarrableRally.

For press information contact Alan Binley by emailing pro@robertbarrable.com.