Pavel Valoušek has been chosen to represent the 'BFGoodrich Drivers Team' in the Czech Republic.

Pavel Valoušek has been selected to compete for the 'BFGoodrich Drivers Team' in a Kronos-run Peugeot 207 S2000 on the Barum Rally Zlin next month, round six of the 2008 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Valoušek was one of 24 applicants to apply for the drive and then made the shortlist initially drawn up by BFGoodrich and Kronos.

In the end he got nine votes - cast by a panel comprising 14 representatives of the Czech media, plus representatives from BFGoodrich and Kronos Racing - while the other drivers to make it into the final five were Tomáš Kostka, with one vote, Jaroslav Orsák, with two votes, Jan Šlehofer, with three votes and Karel Trojan.

Valoušek will now take part in a test near Namur, Belgium, on August 7, before linking up with resident Kronos drivers Freddy Loix and Nicolas Vouilloz for the event itself, which runs from August 22-24.

"I am very happy and I would like to thank everyone for giving me this opportunity," said the 29-year-old, who is a regular in the Czech Rally Championship and who has competed in 18 WRC events. "It must have been a tough call to make, and that's why I would like to thank everyone for the confidence they have placed in me."

BFGoodrich competition director Frédéric Henry-Biabaud meanwhile remains happy with the way the 'BFG Drivers Team' programme continues to be supported.

"Today was the third time there has been voting for the BFGoodrich Drivers Team and I am particularly pleased with the success of this operation this time round. The agency Mediasport received 24 applications in total, and that's a terrific score for the Czech Republic," he continued.

"The Czech journalists were very enthusiastic and we would like to thank them for their active involvement in this project by choosing the winning driver and co-driver. I am sure they will benefit from extensive media coverage.

"The BFGoodrich Drivers Team is an operation which seeks to give drivers from a number of countries a chance to showcase their talent within the framework of their home IRC round. With helpful support of Kronos Racing's team, they are given all the technical and human resources necessary to reach the finish.

"I would also like to thank Mediasport, our partner in the Czech Republic, as well as the local BFGoodrich staff for their help in organising this programme, and I am very much looking forward to the third phase of BFGoodrich Drivers Team operation on the Barum Rally Zlin."

"I am delighted with the media's choice. Even though Pavel Valoušek is still young, he has plenty of experience and is extremely popular," added Kronos boss Marc van Dalen. "He knows the Barum Rally by heart and will be driving the same car as Freddy Loix and Nicolas Vouilloz, so he has every chance. His local knowledge will help him make up for his lack of experience in a Super 2000 car.

"It will also be a big asset for our team, especially when it comes to choosing our BFGoodrich tyres for this extremely fast event which takes place on very bumpy, low grip asphalt."