On 1–2 May, the Riverside Baja will get underway as the second round of the 2026 M1 Flotta Hungarian National Off-Road Rally Championship, and it will also count towards the CEZ (Central European Zone). The event in Pápoc once again promises varied terrain, new elements and even more action for spectators — making it well worth heading out with a picnic chair and cooler box to enjoy the off-road spectacle.
In a single day, the Riverside Baja will test competitors over more than 300 kilometres on a route similar to previous years, this time expanded with an area last used 6–8 years ago.
“Thanks to the mayor of Kenyeri, we are able to return to the village’s road network this year, for which we are very grateful, and the field will certainly appreciate it as well. This adds a 6–7 kilometre section unfamiliar to most competitors. It also allows us to implement a ‘loop within a loop’ structure, meaning spectators will be able to see the field four times at two viewing points near the service park — at the Pápoc quarry and along the Lánka stream bed,” said Zoltán Garamvölgyi, the event organiser.
This innovation increases the diversity of the route — fast sections, corners, changing surfaces, dusty terrain and forest stages — making an already rhythm-heavy course even more exciting and enjoyable. It also gives fans more opportunities to watch the action from designated viewing areas, which will be published on the off-road rally website during race week. Thanks to a new map-based format, already tested at the Bugac round, visitors will be able to plan their route to selected locations with a single click.
The service park will remain in its usual location around the Pápoc Seniors’ Club, where visitors can get up close to the race vehicles. Attendance at the event remains free of charge.
The detailed timetable will be finalised after entries close, but the programme is expected to follow a familiar structure: on Friday, the service park will be set up, administrative and technical checks will take place, and the official test session will be held. On Saturday, the action intensifies, with the first stage starting around 8–9am, followed by SS2 in the early afternoon.
The Riverside Baja would not be possible without the support of the following municipalities, their mayors and local communities: Pápoc, Kemenesmagasi, Szergény, Vönöck and Kenyeri. The organisers expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to return to Pápoc for the 11th time, where they are welcomed with outstanding hospitality every year. The event has grown beyond a simple sporting competition, becoming a true community gathering and a celebration for off-road rally enthusiasts.
The latest information about the 1–2 May Riverside Baja will be available on the official Hungarian off-road rally platforms. Entries are open until 23 April, while media accreditation will take place between 20 and 27 April.
See you in 2026 at the Riverside Baja!
Source: Terep-Rallye
Photo: Pataky Péter
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