The FIA European Historic Rally Championship arrives in the Czech Republic this weekend, as over 30 crews will contest Historic Vltava Rallye, the second round of the FIA’s historic rally series.

Based in Klatovy in the south west of the country, the popular two day event offers twelve special stages and over 140km of competitive action in the rolling countryside close to the city.

Last year’s winners Vojtech Stajf and Veronika Havelkova lead the field away in their Toyota Celica ST165.  The Czech crew have entered as an FIA Wildcard for this rally, meaning they will not score points on the event.  Chasing them down will be round one winner Jari-Matti Latvala in another Toyota Celica – this time in the 1992 ST185 model.  After dominating the opening round in Rally Costa Brava, the vastly experienced former WRC event winner will be aiming to make it two from two this weekend.  Tuukka Shemeikka deputises for Latvala’s regular co-driver Janni Hussi this weekend.

Returning to defend his FIA EHRC crown from 2024 is champion Tibor Érdi Jr. with Istvan Kerek alongside.  With an updated Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4x4 for the new season, the Hungarian driver will be looking to start his campaign on the front foot.

Another former WRC driver, Sweden’s Tobias Johansson brings his fearsome Audi Quattro to the Czech event, with Jenny Strandberg alongside.  The Swede endured a challenging Rally Costa Brava with some mechanical issues, but also showed serious speed on the stages too. A podium challenger?

Chasing the four wheel drive cars down are a string of fast 2WD entrants. Ville Silvasti, Donagh Kelly, Pieter-Jan Maeyaert, Jesus Ferreiro Perez are all well proven in FIA EHRC.  All are capable of winning their classes and putting in strong performances.

Enrico Brazzoli and Martina Musiari enjoyed a class win in their Group B Porsche 911 on Rally Costa Brava.  The Italians return for round 2, and are confident of another strong result as part of their season campaign in the car.

Outside of the Top 10, Italian ace Claudio de Cecco is a driver to watch in his Porsche 911. A regular event winner in his native Italy in WRC cars previously, will his transition to German RWD power be a successful one? Vastly experienced Italian Giovanni Battista Campeis will be on hand to guide him through the stages.

Frenchman Bertrand Metivier brings his Ford Escort RS1600 to Czechia for the first time. After a strong run in Costa Brava, he will look for another successful outing this time. German driver Jurgen Geist brings his Opel Manta 400, with Czech co-driver Josef Kral on the pacenotes. Geist is no stranger to these roads and will look to challenge in the Category 4 2WD classes.

Flexifly Rally Team are represented by father and son duo Will and Ernie Graham this weekend. Father Ernie brings a new Ford Escort 1600 car to tackle the Category 2 and 1600cc Trophy, whilst son Will uses a BMW M3.  Both drivers will be looking to secure maximum points in the FIA Teams Trophy.

Chasing Front Wheel Drive honours is local driver Olda Kovarik Jnr with Marek Kapic alongside. Kovarik uses a factory specification Skoda Favorit 136L. The 1300cc Group A car finished 4th overall on the Historic Acropolis Rally in 2023. Kovarik starts favourite to secure the Front Wheel Drive Trophy on his home roads.

In the FIA 1600cc Trophy, two drivers return for 2025. Englishman James Calvert brings his iconic VW 1303s back to the stages, whilst Austrian driver Richard Ronay also contests the series in his rare Lada VFTS, a rare Group B homologation of the classic Russian car.

There is a lone Category 1 entry from Italian veterans Antonio Parisi and Giuseppe D’Angelo in their Porsche 911 2.0.

Finally, a trio of German drivers also complement the EHRC ranking this weekend.  Michael Baltes brings his fantastic Fiat 131 Abarth, whilst Benedikt Weber and Peter Hinderer bring Category 3 Porsche 911 3.0.

Top 10 Seeded Entries – Historic Vltava Rallye 2025