Daniel Behálek, tipped as one of the contenders for IRC Production Cup glory on Barum Czech Rally Zlín this week, has been confirmed as a non-starter for the asphalt event.
Behálek, who finished second in the IRC Production Cup in Zlín last season, had been due to line up in a Subaru Impreza but the loss of a sponsor means he won’t be able to take part.
The Czech has a reputation for being fast and he therefore could have posed a threat to IRC Production Cup regulars such as Toshi Arai and Andreas Aigner, although his true pace has often been masked by technical problems.
Meanwhile, Martinique driver Johan Heloïse has also been forced to withdraw from the Intercontinental Rally Challenge counter in his Impreza due to a hand injury.