Dimitar Iliev (BUL, Skoda Fabia S2000): I am full of excitement for the start of the rally, because I drove here at the start of my career when Rally Albena came through here. It is a pleasure for me to drive on these roads – these are the most technical stages in Bulgaria. I hope we can win the rally. We are very well prepared and we know that our opponents are strong.

Petar Gyoshev (BUL, Peugeot 207 S2000): I am happy that there are drivers from lots of different nationalities who are here to participate in our rally. We want to perform at the maximum of our potential. The stages are quite technical – there is a good combination of uphills and downhills and there is lots of fraction. The one who will win the rally, will be the one with the best strategy.

Ekaterina Stratieva (BUL, Citroen C2 R2 Max): I am happy that the race is part of IRC. The final decision came very late and that is the reason why so many top drivers are absent. I hope that we will be in the calendar for next year as well and that there will be more top drivers. The stages are well prepared. There is lots of fraction at some places. Today I was surprised how fast and slippery it was on the road.

Robert Consani (UKR, Renault Megane RS): My aim is to win the rally in the production cup category. That is the reason why we tried hard to learn the stages. We are very dependable on the potential of the car – the rally is long, very dangerous and our main objective is to complete the distance.

Yagiz Avci (TUR, Ford Fiesta RS): Тhis is my second time I drive in the IRC – the first one was in Rally Yalta. We continue to earn more experience. Rally Sliven is a big challenge for us. We are close to the last round of the Turkish championship and this rally will be a great chance for us to get prepared for this. It will be very hard for us because there is a very strong opposition from the Bulgarian competitors. I have to get better on tarmac.

Harry Hunt (GBR, Citroen DS3): I can't wait to start the rally. It is a very tough one indeed. There are lots of fast sections, but some technical as well. Our aim is to keep our leadership in the 2WD category. We have strong opposition from Robert Conasni. There is only 1 point that separates us. I know it is going to be a long rally but I will do my best to get a good result.