Craig Breen is planning to use his Barum Czech Rally Zlín debut to compare his speed against the Intercontinental Rally Challenge frontrunners.
The rising star from Ireland will drive a Keltech Engineering M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 on the Tarmac event following a one-day test near the Czech capital Prague earlier this week.
“I had a test just outside Prague on Monday, it was great to get back behind the wheel of the S2000,” said Breen, 21. “My last event in it was in June, where I won the Ravens Rock Rally [in Ireland].
“I penciled in this rally some time back as it will give an idea of my pace in relation to the top IRC campaigners."
After completing the two-day reconnaissance, Breen added: “The stages are quite similar to Ireland in places but very bumpy. It will be an interesting event and I’m sure to learn a lot."
Breen will be co-driven by British navigator Gareth Roberts.