This weekend, the Hungarian town of Várpalota is the vibrant epicenter of the international rally-raid world. The 2025 HunGarian Baja, part of the FIA European Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, kicked off with a short but decisive prologue that determined the starting order for the first full stage.
This rally is a true European classic, known for its fast tracks, dusty conditions, and the spectacular backdrop of military training grounds in western Hungary.
Miroslav Zapletal opens strong, Spierings surprises
Czech driver Miroslav Zapletal and his Slovak co-driver Marek Sykora started the rally in excellent form. Behind the wheel of their Ford F150 Evo+, they set the fastest time in the prologue: 7 minutes and 45 seconds. This not only placed them first overall, but also gave them the lead in the Ultimate (T1+) class—a powerful opening for the Offroadsport team.
A standout performance came from the Dutch duo Paul Spierings and Mark Salomons, competing for Rebellion Spierings. In their Taurus T3 Max Evo, they finished just 4.9 seconds behind Zapletal. This performance temporarily places them at the top of the Challenger (T3.1) class, giving them an excellent starting position for the longer stages to come.
The top three was completed by Kyrgyz duo Denis Krotov and Oleg Uperenko in a Mini John Cooper Works Rally+, immediately showcasing the depth of competition in the field.
Dutch presence in the Hungarian heat
Dutch involvement in this edition of the HunGarian Baja is significant, with entries across a wide range of categories—from SSVs and T3 buggies to heavy-duty rally trucks. Besides the impressive showing by Paul Spierings, Marnix Leeuw and his team also got off to a strong start. Driving their Iveco Powerstar, they posted the fastest time in the truck category and finished 29th overall.
Close behind were Dirk and Pim Garvelink, crossing the line in 30th place overall in their Can-Am Maverick X3, competing in the T4NAT class. Sander Derikx and Michael Schuttel also took to the course in a Can-Am Maverick R Bombardier, clocking the 32nd fastest time overall. Meanwhile, Marc Leeuw and his teammates drove a solid prologue in their GINAF X2222 truck, finishing second among the trucks and 35th overall with a time of 10:37.5.
Lastly, there was an appearance by Andre Thewessen and Jeffrey Spoor, also in a Can-Am. However, they received a two-minute time penalty after the prologue and ultimately placed 36th.
Rally schedule and podium prospects
The rally began on Friday with the prologue and a short opening section. Saturday holds the main challenge, with several competitive stages spread across a demanding day. The final podium ceremony will take place on Sunday at 20:30 on the central square of Várpalota.
The Dutch contenders have plenty of opportunities ahead. Paul Spierings seems to be in top form, and with his experience and the performance of his Taurus buggy, he’s among the favorites in the Challenger class. In the truck category, the battle currently leans in favor of the Dutch, with Marnix and Marc Leeuw emerging as leading contenders. The Garvelink and Derikx teams will also aim to gain ground in the T4NAT class.
Top international field of contenders
The entry list features several strong international names. Among them is W2RC regular Denis Krotov, who delivered a solid third-place time in his MINI. Poland’s Wlodzimierz Grajek, driving a Toyota Hilux, is a familiar face in the European rally scene. At the same time, Hamed Al Wahaibi, who is navigated by the experienced Ilka Minor, is an intriguing entry in the SSV category with his Can-Am Maverick R.
With competitors hailing from the Czech Republic, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Poland, Turkey, Hungary, and the Netherlands, it’s clear that the HunGarian Baja remains a truly international and highly respected event.
Stay tuned to RallyTracks.nl for the latest news, results, and behind-the-scenes stories from Hungary!
