Mariusz Wiatr and Lukasz Laskawiec have won the 23rd HunGarian Baja. The Polish pair were fastest in their Ford F150 Evo in an event with constantly changing conditions, also securing the title in the FIA European Cup for Cross-Country Bajas. With Marcin Nasilowski and Rafal Jedrys in second and Marek Kubiczek and Artur Kordala in third, it was an all-Polish podium.
Mud and rain on Friday
The HunGarian Baja was originally scheduled for the summer in Várpalota, but had to be moved to Tapolca in November due to wildfires in the region. That meant very different conditions than usual. Rain, strong winds and a soaked course created mud, water crossings and extremely slippery sections on Friday.
Wiatr and Laskawiec set the fastest time in the prologue of just over ten kilometres. On the first stage of almost 70 kilometres, with 53 crews at the start, Nasilowski and Jedrys were fastest in their Taurus. They felt right at home in the mud. Kubiczek and Kordala finished second, Wiatr and Laskawiec third.
Vanagas rolls
For Benediktas Vanagas, the weekend got off to a bad start. The Lithuanian, one of the contenders for the European title, rolled his new Toyota Hilux early on the first stage. “It took just one short section where I misjudged the road conditions,” he said. Damage to the external master switch caused the power to cut out repeatedly during the stage. Vanagas ended the day in fourteenth place. “This also makes our fight for the season’s final standings a little more complicated.” His mechanics got the car ready for Saturday within the 60-minute service.
Drying course on Saturday
On Saturday, the event moved to Zalaháp, where one stage was driven three times. The day started with frozen and slippery tracks, but the sunshine gradually dried the course. As a result, speeds increased with every run. By the final stage, conditions were almost ideal.
Wiatr and Laskawiec made the difference on Saturday and took the victory. Nasilowski and Jedrys finished second and won the Challenge category. Kubiczek and Kordala finished third in their Taurus Evo Max. Vanagas fought his way back from fourteenth to fourth overall, making him second in the Ultimate class and third in the European classification.
Titles for Csucsu and Garamvölgyi
There was also reason to celebrate for the home crowd. Kornél Lukács, better known as Csucsu, became Hungarian Cross-Country Rally Champion with a consistent drive. The Garamvölgyi crew set the fastest time on Saturday’s first run, won their category and successfully defended their T4 CEZ Championship title.
