Robert Consani will be reunited with regular co-driver Nicolas Klinger when he bids to narrow Harry Hunt’s lead of the IRC 2WD Cup on Barum Czech Rally Zlín, which begins with a superspecial stage through the host city on Friday night.
Klinger was unable to contest last month’s Sibiu Rally in Romania due to a clashing commitment, which prompted Consani to recall former navigator Cédric Beynet for the gravel event. Beynet partnered Consani on SATA Rallye Açores in February.
With IRC 2WD Cup pacesetter Hunt not including the trip to Czech Republic on his schedule for 2012, Consani, who drives a Renault Mégane RS, can cut the British driver’s advantage to one point with victory on the all-asphalt round.
However, Honda Civic Type R driver Martin Kangur will also be aiming to capitalise on Hunt’s absence, while Jan Černý is one of several leading Czech pilots capable of causing an upset following a spate of class wins in his domestic championship this year.
Josef Peták could also spring a surprise on his return to two-wheel-drive competition while Italian Davide Medici won the IRC 2WD Cup on Rallye Sanremo last season and will be rapid in his Clio, as will fellow Renault drivers Petr Brynda and Lubomír Minařík.