Plamen Staykov (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9 R4) expects a very tough Rally Sliven.

The winner of Rally Stari Stolici is expecting a big challenge in the first ever appearance of Rally Sliven in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC)

"The stages are very technical with constant change of grip levels. At some places it is slippery while on the others there is good grip. There is lot of fraction at some corners and in SS Stara Reka there are lots of big stones on the road, said Staykov during the shakedown.

"I am sure it will be an interesting battle and the atmosphere here is great. We are on the eve of the most interesting rally in our country this year."

The leader in the Bulgarian rally championship and 5-times winner of Rally Sliven Dimitar Iliev (Skoda Fabia S2000) also thinks that the stages in the Sliven Balkan are going to be more difficult than most of the crews expect.

"I also think that SS Stara Reka is going to be quite tricky due to the big stones that are on the road. This stage is going to be crucial for the overall win in the rally", said Iliev, who will start the rally with Number 1 on his car.