Wednesday, April 9, at The Rock Trophy 2025, was a day filled with excitement and extreme challenges, as competitors faced two distinct tests that would push every aspect of their skills, endurance, and adaptability.
The day kicked off with the Circle Race at Poienile Beriului, a thrilling high-speed showdown with muddy sections and five laps of intense action. The race featured only the Extreme and Challenger classes, covering 22 and 23 km respectively, competing for supremacy. Starting in groups of seven, the competitors faced a circuit that tested both vehicle performance and driver precision, with tight corners, fast straights, mud sections, and uphill and downhill challenges—leaving no room for error. Pushing their vehicles to the limit, the drivers raced side-by-side in a dramatic display of speed and skill. The crowd was treated to an electrifying atmosphere, as each lap brought new moments of high-intensity action and fierce competition. The Circle Race was the perfect spectacle to kick off the day, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats.
Meanwhile, the Legend class was not part of the Circle Race. Instead, they embarked on a distinctive route, separate from the other competitors, which took them from the external bivouac in Costeti to Geoagiu Bai. This specially designed course, crafted exclusively for the Legend class, offered a completely different set of challenges. As they navigated the route, they encountered diverse terrain and obstacles that tested their endurance and adaptability. The route not only provided a thrilling prelude to the event but also served as crucial preparation for the upcoming Night Stage, where they would rejoin the other competitors. This unique journey through varied landscapes allowed the Legend class to fine-tune their strategies and ready themselves for the intense, high-stakes action of the evening, setting the stage for what promised to be an unforgettable challenge under the night sky.
As night descended, the Night Stage in Geoagiu Bai began, introducing a whole new level of difficulty. Both the Extreme and Challenger classes, as well as the Legend class, faced this 24 km (23 KM for the Legend) stage under the cover of darkness. With visibility reduced to only the glow of headlights and the IRIS system, competitors had to rely on their instincts and experience to navigate the treacherous terrain. The Night Stage was a battle against the unknown—obstacles seemed to appear out of nowhere, and every decision had to be made with caution and precision. It was a race where composure and adaptability were key, as teams faced challenges that would test their mental toughness and resilience.
By the end of the day, it was clear that this was no ordinary race. The Circle Race and Night Stage had pushed competitors to their limits, revealing the true essence of The Rock Trophy: a relentless competition that challenges not just the machines, but the skill, teamwork, and mental endurance of every participant. As the teams crossed the finish line after a full day of action, the race was now in its most intense phase, with each stage growing more demanding than the last.
Circle Race Thrills, Class Shake-Ups, and the Night Ahead
Early in the afternoon, the Circle Race kicked off—and it didn’t disappoint. Right from the start, it lived up to expectations, delivering high-octane adrenaline to the competing crews and a spectacular show for the large crowd that gathered to witness the action.
In the Extreme class, the leaderboard saw yet another twist, with a new entry shaking things up. But let’s start with the winners: the Latvian duo Ints Freibergs and Ints Marcinkevics, who clinched first place with a time of 00:32:01.90, narrowly edging out Estonian Hardo Mere, navigated by Romanian Marius Pop. Third place went to the British team Mark Dean and Matthew Howard, who felt perfectly at home on this type of terrain behind the wheel of their Ora Offender.
A major reshuffle also occurred in the Challenger class. Today’s top spot went to the French crew Benjamin Dusanter and Maxime Dromard, driving a Jeep Proto CJ7, who clocked a time of 00:44:02.00—just enough to hold off the two Romanian teams that had been swapping top spots throughout the week. Ionel Stan and Bogdan Pascu took second, followed by Nicolae Burada and Traian Maracineanu in third.
The Legend class did not participate in the Circle Race today but instead followed a dedicated route back to the bivouac from Costets. Once again, Estonians Urvo Mannama and Kaarel Gross secured first place with a time of 01:40:09.00, followed by Latvians Vilnis Zitans and Raivis Aizups, and Danes Per Bertelsen and Jesper Madsen in third.
But the day wasn’t over yet. After the Circle Race and a short break to allow teams to rest and prepare their vehicles, the sun set... and the engines roared to life once more. Competitors headed back out into the darkness for the highly anticipated Night Stage of The Rock Trophy.
The Night Stage brought a fresh wave of excitement and reshuffled the rankings with new names rising to the top.
Leading the pack in the Extreme class were the Polish duo Remigiusz Wutkowski and Piotr Kujawski, who dominated the stage in their Nissan Patrol, clocking a time of 00:42:58.00. Hot on their heels were second Luke Wakelen and James Watts from UK, followed by the German Rallye Breslau veterans Jork Neese and Torsten Mueller in third.
In the Challenger class, it was a battle between Romania and France once again. Romanians Ionel Stan and Bogdan Pascu took the win with their Nissan Patrol, finishing in 00:45:07.69. Second place went to the French team Benjamin Dusanter and Maxime Dromard, while Nicolae Burada and Traian Maracineanu secured another podium for Romania in third.
The Legend class saw an all-new trio take over the Night Stage podium. Vilnis Zitans and Raivis Aizups from Latvia claimed the top spot with a time of 00:42:57.00, followed closely—less than 10 minutes behind—by the mixed Romanian-Italian crew of Sorin Parvulescu and Maurilio Zani. Third place went to the Danish team Per Bertelsen and Jesper Madsen.
Special mention goes to Urvo Mannama, who made the move to the newly introduced Adventure class.
Today was a special one, with the competition heating up and the fight for the overall lead growing ever more intense. The Rock Trophy is far from over, and with two days to go, anything can still happen—right down to the final kilometer.
What’s Coming Next at The Rock Trophy
Thursday, April 10 – Back to Costești: The Breaking Point
Extreme KM: 113
Challenger KM: 138
The punishing landscapes of Costești return for another round of grueling off-road action. This stage is a true test of endurance, where mechanical resilience and mental strength are pushed to the brink.
Steep climbs, perilous descents, and seemingly impassable natural barriers will challenge every move. Winching skills, quick thinking, and seamless teamwork between driver and co-driver will be the ultimate deciding factors. It’s not just about speed—it’s about strategy, survival, and flawless execution.
The Legend crews will set off from the bivouac in Geoagiu Bai, venturing into the mountains of the Hunedoara and Alba districts. Along the way, they’ll face a route filled with breathtaking landscapes—but also challenging obstacles that will put both drivers and machines to the test.
Source: Rocky Trophy / RBI
