FRIGYES TURÁN
Veteran Turán is Hungary’s most recent ERC event winner following his dramatic final-stage triumph on his home round in 2019. He remains a frontrunner in his national championship.
Sun 01 Oct 2023
ERC @ 70: Hungary’s European heroes
There has been no shortage of Hungarian success in the FIA European Rally Championship over the years. Ahead of Rally Hungary next week (6 - 8 October), here’s a reminder of some of the country’s drivers who have made an impact in the ERC.
ZOLTÁN BESSENYEY
For two seasons running, Zoltán Bessenyey was the driver to beat in the ERC 2WD category, taking the title in 2013 and again in 2014 with János Puskádi’s Eurosol Racing Team Hungary operation.
DÁVID BOTKA
After claiming the ERC2 title in 2015 courtesy of three category wins, Botká made the move to R5 machinery and was a European Rally Championship regular in 2016 at the wheel of a Citroën DS3 before he switched to Škoda power for 2017. His last campaign came in 2018.
MIKLÓS CSOMÓS
One of the favourites to win the upcoming Rally Hungary, Csomós scored his breakthrough ERC podium on Barum Czech Rally Zlín in August having hit back from a car-wrecking crash on Rally Islas Canarias in May. His return to action on Rally di Roma Capitale in late July was made possible by a crowdfunding campaign that generated the backing to purchase a replacement Škoda.
TIBOR ÉRDI JR
Following in the wheel tracks of his father Tibor Érdi Sr by taking up rallying, Tibor Jr, didn’t just win the ERC2 title once, he won it three times in 2017, 2018 and 2019. He’s now achieving success in the FIA European Historic Rally Championship in a Ford Sierra RS Cosworth 4 x 4.
ATTILA FERJÁNCZ
Hungary’s most successful ERC driver with 22 wins from 144 starts, Ferjáncz made his name rallying Renaults but he also shone in Audis and Lancias. He passed away in 2016, aged 69.
ANDRÁS HADIK
Although he’s yet to take an outright ERC win, he has finished on the overall podium and was also a regular top-three ERC Production Cup finisher in 2013 and 2014. The triple national champion will be in action on Rally Hungary for this season’s ERC finale.
NORBERT HERCZIG
With four Hungarian titles to his name, Herczig’s step up to the ERC in 2018 for his first season-long campaign was eagerly anticipated. And Herczig didn’t disappoint with podiums in Greece and Cyprus. He also finished on the podium on Rally di Roma Capitale in 2021. His son Patrik will be a Junior ERC contender on this year’s Rally Hungary.
JÁNOS TÓTH JR
From 15 starts, Tóth took seven ERC wins and eight podiums. His last triumph came on the Int. Michelin Budapest Rallye in 2003 armed with a Peugeot 206 WRC.
ADRIENN VOGEL
Vogel became one of the leading women in the ERC during a six-event stint as a registered driver in 2020 and 2021.
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