{"id":3438,"date":"2025-08-16T21:15:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-16T21:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldrally.eu\/?p=3438"},"modified":"2026-01-12T17:07:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T17:07:40","slug":"day-2-rollercoaster-at-barum-rally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldrally.eu\/index.php\/2025\/08\/16\/day-2-rollercoaster-at-barum-rally\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 2 Rollercoaster at Barum Rally"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The second day of the Barum Czech Rally Zl\u00edn was packed with excitement, retirements, punctures, and constant changes in the leaderboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morning loop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The day began with Andrea Mabellini in front after the thrilling Zl\u00edn night stage. But the lead quickly changed in the first stage of Day 2, B\u0159ezov\u00e1, where Jan Kopeck\u00fd claimed the stage win. Finishing eight in that stage, Mabellini dropped to second, allowing Kopeck\u00fd to move into the overall lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama also started early. Mikl\u00f3s Csom\u00f3s crashed and had to retire, while Simone Tempestini went off the road and hit a tree. Although he tried to continue, suspension damage forced him to withdraw. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Andrea Mabellini and Virginia Lenzi \/ Photo by Goretti @worldrally.eu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the following stage, Halenkovice, Simon Wagner moved up to second place, only 5.1 seconds behind Kopeck\u00fd, with Mabellini close behind by 0.8 seconds. This stage was particularly tough for Dominik St\u0159itesk\u00fd, who suffered three punctures and was forced to continue under Super Rally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last morning stage brought another shuffle: Wagner and Mabellini swapped places again. Still, the top three were separated by just 1.2 seconds, keeping the fight wide open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afternoon loop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The second run through B\u0159ezov\u00e1 didn\u2019t change much in the top three, but Wagner and Mabellini exchanged positions once more in SS6 Halenkovice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, there was disappointment for Calle Carlberg, the Junior ERC leader. He only needed to finish eighth to secure the championship. Despite leading his category by more than 40 seconds, his Opel Corsa Rally4 suffered a driveshaft failure, ending his hopes early. However, he will have another opportunity tomorrow. If he finishes 10th or above he will be claimed Junior ERC 2025 champion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne \/ Photo by TG MotorPhoto<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The biggest twist came in the final stage of Saturday. Wagner picked up a front-left puncture and went off the road, costing him 18.1 seconds. This opened the door for Jon Armstrong, who delivered a brilliant performance, climbing three places to finish the day in second overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

End of Day 2 standings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n