Hyundai Motorsport’s Dani Sordo will make his R5 debut at this weekend’s Barum Czech Rally Zlín (24-26 August) at the wheel of an i20.

The Czech event will be Sordo’s second asphalt rally in as many weeks as he clocks up more competitive kilometres ahead of his next scheduled outing in Hyundai’s i20 WRC at RallyRACC Catalunya – Rally de España (25-28 October).



His last sealed-surface event, ADAC Rallye Deutschland, ended in disappointment as he retired from second place after running off the road and damaging his car’s radiator.



However, with the pace he showed before his crash and a successful two-day pre-event test in the Czech Republic under his belt, Sordo hopes he can compete with his R5 rivals during this weekend’s European Rally Championship counter.



“I will try to enjoy the weekend and try to be in the fight,” he explained. “But I think it will be difficult because the people in front know the rally very well and they are really fast."



The 35-year-old will face some tough competition during the 15-stage rally, with WRC 2 Championship leader Jan Kopecký also tackling the event in a Skoda Fabia R5.



“Barum Czech Rally Zlín is a major event in a country with a very strong rallying culture,” Andrea Adamo, Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing’s deputy general manager said.



“We know the rally entry will be rich with local drivers and teams, but we are confident that the combination of Dani and the car can compete for victory.”

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