Hungarian Baja 2019: Open fight is expected

The top 3 of the overall ranking in Sprint World Cup, Vladimir Vasilyev, Orlando Terranova and Kuba Przygonski completed the necessary paperwork on Thursday, namely the administrative checks, which was held in an impressive environment, in Thury Castle in Várpalota. If they had really wanted it, they could have picked up real armour for the fight for themselves. 
Though, they prefer more the fireproof overall and helmet combination, it is more practical to fight in for the precious World Cup points. 
Everyone knows that the race will not be easy at all. 
It is enough to mention that on Saturday the crews will complete the 208-km selective stage twice, and on Sunday the 82-km stage twice again. 

"I am ready for the challenge and I will fight for the World Cup points, because this race is very important regarding the overall victory" said the Russian Vasilyev, who drives a Toyota. "I love the Hungarian stages, and I do not mind at all that the longer stage is 208 km. Victory is sweeter in a tough battle, I do not like easy job."

The Argentinian Orlando Terranova with Mini has come exactly to make the Russian’s job harder.  In the overall standing he is only 4 points adrift, and he aims to take the lead at the Hungarian race. "A lot depends on the weather, but it seems that it will not have huge impact on the fight now’ said Terranova.’ Besides good speed it is important to drive smartly, because here every mistake costs a lot. Vasilyev, Prokop and Przygonski will be tough rivals, but surely we will try to win."

So will Jakub Przygonski, also driving a Mini John Cooper. The Polish driver participated twice in HunGarian Baja, and finished on the podium on both occasions. Though it does not mean that he considers our race as an easy one. "It is a very difficult race, especially the shooting range, where mistakes can come at any time. I expect a battle in which every second counts, and it will not be easy at all with these long stages. We must definitely push hard."

Regarding the Hungarian competitors, they have chance again to compete against the international top field, which is an honour on the one hand, but also a huge challenge. 

"There has never been such a long cross country rally race in Hungary than this year’s HunGarian Baja" Pál Lónyai said, who competed at the Italian and Spanish Sprint World Cup races, too. "The top drivers improved a lot in speed, and it opens new dimensions in cross country rally. I expect a brutal fight. I do not know what the stage looks like, but its length already makes it hard. So the secret of success could be the same as in every cross country race, just push and push, and at the end you will see what it is going to be enough for."

The race itself will start on Friday afternoon with a Superspecial, and then the official starting ceremony to be held in front of the Thury Castle, while the real fight will begin on Saturday and Sunday. 

Source HunGarian Baja official press release