The 21st HunGarian Baja was an excellent test and competition. Competitors from all over the world came to the European Cup race near Várpalota to test themselves and their machines in truly varied conditions.
Nani Roma came to Hungary for testing, so his result with the 2025 Ford Raptor did not count in the overall standings, but his performance put him in the lead. The Spanish champion was admired for the way he handled the new technology in preparation for the desert adventure, the Dakar.
The trio of Joao Ferreira-Filipe Palmeiro and the Mini confidently dominated the field throughout and have now swapped third place in 2022 for victory. This was to be expected, as the Mini duo were constantly racing with their mouths to their ears, loving the varied lines, bumps and fast sections. With this absolute first place, the Portuguese pair further increased their lead in the European Cup standings.
Grajek Wlodzimierz and Michal Goleniewski moved up to third place after that day one podium winner Francisco Barretos was disqualified for ineligible servicing. The best Hungarian was the duo of Pál Lónyai and György Tóth, driving a Porsche, they crossed the finish line in sixth place.
Nani Roma-Alex Haro (Ford M-Sport) Ford Raptor: „It was good, we really enjoyed the car, the nice weather. We finished well. It was lot of public in the track, we are happy. It was a really good test for the new car, it worked well. We need to continue to improve.”
Joao Ferreira-Filipe Palmeiro (X-Raid Mini JCW Team) Mini John Cooper Works Rally Plus: „Today the stage was more or less like yesterday, but in the opposite way. We pushed the maximum we could, but we did not have the pace to catch Nani, who was superfast today. For the Europa Cup it is not too bad, but we wanted to win the race. We have to keep working to catch the competition.”
Pál Lónyai- György Tóth (LP Racing Kft.) LPR Porsche Macan: „ I am very happy, we made a great job. We are here between the teams with bigger budget, we enjoy it.”
Balázs Molnár – Gabriella Molnár (M1 Autó- és Motorsport Egyesület) Can-Am: „The car was very well in its first race, we are very happy. We really enjoyed the race.”
Norbert Liszi – Dorottya Kapitány (M1 Autó- és Motorsport Egyesület) Can-Am: „We liked the last stage the best. Yesterday we had our first puncture and the first wheel change, which threw us off a bit. The hardest part was yesterday evening, when we had to drive in the dark and dust in the forest. We would have kept going, but that’s what we have now. We’re still learning, it’s our first season.”
Szilárd Kánnár – Dávid Béres (Garilla Racing Ltd.) Can-Am: „If it wasn’t for the puncture yesterday, we would have had a good time. At the 50th kilometre I told Dávid that we don’t brake, we don’t go into the corners like that, we don’t brake out. Unfortunately, today we only got as far as the neutral zone.”
21st HunGarian Baja
1. Nani Roma – Alex Haro, Ford Raptor - 4:02:58,1 hours
2. Joao Ferreira – Filipe Palmeiro, Mini John Cooper Works R.P. +01:36,4 min.
3. Grajek Wlodzimierz – Michal Goleniewski, Toyota +23:15,3 min.
…7. Pál Lónyai – György Tóth, LPR Porsche Macan +41:04,9 min.
Source: Hungarian Baja
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